towerofanimus | Finally, another party

Entry tags:

Finally, another party

Characters: ProtoLancer

puppy_lancer, Zero Lancer

oathshackledbird and anyone interested in attending a birthday party. Details here.
Setting: Meadow
Format: Anything goes
Summary: Lancer throws his brother a party. Everyone can come except for the Archer (meaning they can come crash the party anyways)! Feel free to tag into any of the threads set up or invent your own scenario.
Warnings: None yet!

[It had taken some preparing, but the party was finally set up in a satisfactory way. There was a table for food and drink dragged in from the cafeteria, a wooden bucket filled with water with fruit floating in it, a strange paper mache Jason head pinata stacked on a scarecrow body, and a board with a pig with a Ganon head scribbled on it along with several spiraling paper "tails" attached to thumbtacks. There are no party decorations, but Lancer figures the flowers and sunshine should be decoration enough.]

[Now it's just a matter of waiting for people to show up.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Diarmuid doesn't believe the alcohol in his system really is an issue, but he can't help but tease about it anyway.]

It is, but surely there is more to it than that or has the King of Heroes saved his reputation as a gift giver only to lose his reputation as a story teller?

The Lancer of Fianna is a challenging man, it seems. [He smirks in amusement before making a gesture with one wrist.] Very well, I suppose I will allow you to hear of a tale or two. You may wish to sit.

[Diarmuid takes a seat as Archer suggests before replying.]

Well, since I am not fit to challenge you via a spar, it only makes sense I find other ways to challenge you, does it not? But, it is not so much that I am a challenging man really. It is more that I am a man of high standards. I might only be a knight, but that doesn't mean I don't like fine things just as much as a king would.

Then it is only a measure of quality in which we differ, hm? [Or perhaps not even that, considering how he goes about drinking that wine. But he certainly has no qualms with sitting with the knight (or hanging off of the other Lancer, which was perhaps fortunately unseen).]

Is there anything in particular you wish to hear about? As it is your party, it seems at least kind to ask.

[Diarmuid smiles and shakes his head ignoring Archer's comment on quality. He is less interested in trading quips now and would rather get to hearing the story.]

No, in that I will not be picky. Indeed, I am kind of curious to see what you would pick to tell me about on your own. Your finest fight? Or maybe your favorite moment? What was important enough to you, King of Heroes, that you would want others to hear of it?

[The finest fight. Something that he would wish to tell about... It does not take long for him to decide on that.]

Then I will tell you of my third battle with Saber! The finest battle I have experienced in the War, and one that I will remember quite fondly.

[Yes, Enki may have been split asunder by Excalibur, but he considered himself a victor as well in that he had gotten exactly what he had wanted -- a grand battle worthy of the great weapon.]

We met in the subway -- somewhere quiet, for the time of the evening, and with the tracks dividing us. His holy sword against my treasured blades, sparking under the dim lights. Head to head, blade to blade, it was hardly a battle between an 'Archer' and a Saber.

The city undergrounds could not contain our battle, of course! We took to the air from there, from building to building, across skyscrapers and rooftops.

[It is hard for Diarmuid to accurately picture what the fight must have been like. Not through any fault of Archer's description, but because it was a battle between two servants who were and at the same were not the ones he knew. This version of Archer--of Gilgamesh since Diarmuid does know the spirit's true identity thanks to Waver--is very different from the one in his war. And the Saber who Diarmuid can only assume is another version of King Arthur from the mention of his holy blade most likely was also very different from the one he had known.

If for nothing else, he was male instead of female. How drastically different must that have made him from the female version Diarmuid is more familiar with?]

And you probably destroyed a good chuck of the city in your fight as it sounds like a glorious one. Please, continue.

[Gilgamesh takes a generous sip of his wine before setting the glass aside; it allows him to speak more animatedly, using both hands for his storytelling.]

Shattered glass and destroyed rebar, broken concrete and sizable craters. It was a splendid background for our battle!

[He brings a hand to his face, covering his left eye.] The King of Knights managed a good shot to my face. Rather infuriating, to ruin my aim in such a way.

[A smirk works its way to his lips, even with half of his face covered by his hand.] That was around the time I started using my gates. I am sure you are familiar with them.

[It amuses Diarmuid how much Archer is getting caught up in telling the story. In fact, for a moment one would almost think he was a normal person instead of the great King of Heroes. Diarmuid doesn't comment on this, though, because he's enjoying hearing the story as much as Archer is enjoying telling it.]

I am. Fortunately, from watching him use them on others and not on myself, though deep down, part of me does wonder what would be faster--the projectiles shot by your gate or my ability to dodge considering as a Lancer that is kind of what I do.

[He could provide an answer to Diarmuid's musing, but where would the fun be in that? So he simply lets out a laugh and lifts his chin, finally lowering his hand from his face.]

Perhaps someday you will have the opportunity to find out for yourself.

[He flicks his wrist dismissively, continuing on with his story.] I had him on the run. We continued throughout the city, clashing anywhere and everywhere there was room to contain our battle -- and even places that did not. It was a fantastic battle, down to our final blows. The entire city felt the impact of our Noble Phantasms.

Yes, someday.

[As odd as that might seem, it's something he looks forward to even if chances are good it will never happen.]

Were your masters not worried about secrecy at this point? Or was it late enough in the war that it really didn't matter? You said it was your third clash with Saber, correct?

[Diarmuid can't help but wonder what it would have been like to fight the war with a master who was not so worried about fighting from the shadows and keeping so much a secret all of the time. Kayneth's tactics had always upset Diarmuid. They had seemed so dishonorable and petty. Certainly not fitting actions for a knight.]

What do I care what my Master thinks? He hides away and is so rarely useful for entertainment. No, the best entertainment would have been arriving at his place after the battle and listening to his reaction -- an experience I was robbed of!

[He sighs loudly and shakes his head deliberately to express his dismay, then takes a moment to retrieve his wine and give it another sip.] Ah, most of the Servants were still in play by the time of our third battle. I could hardly call it 'late' in the War.

Ah...so your master was something like my own only you were more able to ignore him than I was.

[There might be a bit of envy in his voice, but Diarmuid will never admit to it if asked.]

Might I ask what happened that made you miss out on your chance to see his reaction? Whatever occurred obviously displeased you.

Hmm. That is a much shorter question to answer. [He makes a faint motion with his chin.] The battle had just ended when I arrived here. Can you imagine if I had arrived just a few minutes earlier? The lack of fulfillment would be frustrating!

[He actually looks annoyed at the thought, with how his brows knit together.]

Indeed it would! To have the results of such a battle left hanging...

[Diarmuid shakes his head. As a fellow warrior, he knows just how terrible that would be, especially considering they have no idea if they will ever be able to get back to those things they left hanging. While that isn't so important to him all things considered, to a lot of others, it is very important.]

We should probably be thanking the tower. I expect your temperament might be very different if they had pulled you here a few moments sooner.

[His lips curl back into a smirk when Diarmuid mentions thanking the tower, and he laughs sharply in response.]

Yes, yes -- this tower would know my restless ire until Saber appeared! I am sure that would lead to meetings ... more comparable to what you would expect of the King of Heroes.

[Diarmuid leans back, waving a dismissive hand.]

You would not be the only one mad at the tower then. Personally, I much prefer you to the King of Heroes from my world. What good is having so much knowledge and so many experiences if you refuse to share that knowledge with others?

But that is really neither here nor there. You said the battle had just concluded when you were drawn here. Tell me, how did it end?

[He smirks confidently as Diarmuid speaks of his preference, but says nothing to it. Every time the other King of Heroes was mentioned, he found himself wondering just what the differences could be between them. To treat others with such anger, to be so distant...

Not that he could not become angry. Not that he could not be distant in his own way.]

Ah, we did take a detour there! As I said, our Noble Phantasms clashed. [He curls one hand into a fist, hitting it against his open palm.] An unexpected sight, to see him use that sword to its full potential! Even with the full height of a skyscraper between us, his holy sword parted the waters and cleaved into me. A most dazzling golden light, worthy of engulfing me!

[He throws back his head and laughs at the memory.]

[Diarmuid just watches him with a puzzled and slightly shocked look on his face.]

You were defeated and you were not angry? It was a glorious fight to be sure, but...

[He just can't imagine the King of Heroes not being infuriated at being defeated. The King of Heroes he knew anyway.]

If your Saber ever comes here, will you challenge him again?

[Gilgamesh has to take a moment to come down from his bout of laughter. The look of confusion on Diarmuid's face does not make this an easy task.]

What is there to be angry about? I got exactly what I desired -- a spectacular battle that surely drew the eyes of the gods, and Saber walked away. But I do foresee another battle when he appears here.

I can propose after I defeat him, after all.

[Archer's laughter is honest enough that Diarmuid finds himself smiling as well.]

I really need to stop expecting things from you based upon what few things I know of the Archer from my war. He...would never have accepted defeat. Even less so if the battle had been such a glorious one. I don't know if the idea that he could be defeated by such 'lesser' beings ever occurred to him, never mind those 'lesser' beings were kings of their own right.

[Diarmuid doesn't include himself in that statement. He's still pretty sure the Archer of his war hadn't included him either. Much too far below him. Much lower than either Saber or Rider had been.

His confusion returns when Archer mentions proposals.]

Who would you be proposing to? Is this about Ayaka?

[His smile is a bit different when Ayaka's name is mentioned, a little softer on the corners even as his eyes brighten with excitement.]

Ah, of course you would know of Ayaka! Is her beauty not captivating? She has met my approval, and so I have vowed that I will propose to her in due time.

[If he was not in a good mood before, talking about Ayaka has only made him that much more pleased.]

It is without a doubt that I am the greatest Heroic Spirit of the world. [His tone is confident, leaving no room for argument.] Would it not be boring to never experience defeat? To never be surprised?

Who knows? He made it seem like he would not find the same joy as you do in defeat or challenge. Perhaps that was just a face he was showing to us? It's hard to say. Even the little I have talked to you is more than I ever encountered him. It could be I am being unfair.

[But then again, when someone makes an entrance like the Archer from his war had, it's hard not to make snap judgments.]

Yes, I know Ayaka. My brother is serving her, after all. She is his master, so I have never thought about her like that. If anything she is family to me.

[He gives Archer a serious look, but there is also amusement in his eyes.]

I hope you plan on gaining the approval of her family before you do this. It is tradition, after all.

[He can't help but laugh inwardly at Diarmuid's analysis, and though he doesn't vocalize it, his shoulders shake with amusement.]

I can surmise that whatever judgment you presented to the King of Heroes would go ignored. [After all, he makes no qualms about ignoring what others thought of him.] But enough of that topic! What use is there to dig into his mind?

[He waves a hand dismissively, easily switching topics.]

Do you intend to act the big brother, Lancer?

Indeed, I will. She is important to my brother and as such it is my duty to help watch out for her.

[Diarmuid doesn't mind letting the discussion of his Archer drop. In all honesty, this Archer is right. What good does pondering such a thing do?]

Beyond that, she is a brave and strong woman whether she believes so or not. She should be able to make her own choices in life and not have them made for her. If she chooses to accept your proposal, then I will support that decision. If you try to force yourself on her...

[He stops there, not wanting to straight out threaten Archer. In fact, he has rather enjoyed talking with him and would rather not upset him, but if he hurts Ayaka all bets will be off.]

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