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.]

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[Diarmuid gives his brother a long look for a moment, and then bursts out laughing.]

Brother, where did that conversation derail at? Actually, never mind. I don't know if I want to know...

Though, I have to say I am curious now. Do you really view Ayaka like that? Like you might want to be with her someday?

...

[Lancer's expression falls.]

She...she's a good woman. But she's only got eyes for one guy and it's not me.

[His brother's fallen expression causes Diarmuid to wrap an arm around the other man's shoulders.]

By other guy you mean Saber, right? Just be straight with me. No excuses about Saber. Do you like her like that?

M-maybe. A little more than other girls, at least.

[He shrugs.]

But it's not really my place, being a Servant and all.

Wouldn't you say the roles of master and servant are a little different here?

[Diarmuid gives his brother a gentle look.]

Much is different here. Is there really a reason to stick to the rules and expectations of a war that isn't going on?

Yeah, they are. But I've gotten used to a certain way of doing things. Everything works fine the way it is now.

[[He wracks his mind for some way to change the subject.]

Ah...speaking of Masters and Servants, Lancelot wants me to show him how to play hurley. Up for doing a game with us?

[Diarmuid purses his lips slightly, but lets his brother change the topic, mentally tucking away the current one for later discussion.]

It's been a long time since I played, but I would be glad to help you teach him. Do you think we might be able to find what we need for a good game in this place? Well...even if not find, it probably would not be too hard to make what we need thanks to the workshop.

I guess we can use the meadow. Or even a floating island. Maybe the soccer field? And we can make the sticks and ball.

Yes, the soccer field would probably be best. Those other places people go to without the though of games in mind and might not expect to need to dodge flying balls. That kind of thing would be expected on the games floor, though. We will just need to watch the time. After nightfall, that floor attracts even more monsters than most floors it seems.

[Having done such an extensive study of the floors comes in handy sometimes.]

Woah, you sure found out a lot about those floors. Then, if we wanna play longer, we'll have to go early and...sleep...well.

[And there's the problem.]

At least go early. If we play hard, the sleeping will probably come later.

[He reaches out and gives his brother's shoulder a comforting squeeze knowing where his train of thought is going.]

Try not to worry about it for now. As for the floors, I've been collecting information every time I patrol since I can more easily get out of danger that might hurt of kill someone else. Better me learn this stuff than others, and once we get the information sheets out, the tower will be that much safer.

Alright.

[He mutters. Maybe he'll carve some runes on their bed starting tonight. It would be better than having both of them crying from nightmares.]

Hey, what times do you patrol? I think I'd like to come along once in a while. See more floors, if anything.

...But I'm not going on that clown floor.

I don't have specific set times. Generally, I go in the morning after I get up and then if I have time I go again before nightfall unless I am checking on something specific. I have done runs of all the floors after dark to see how they change. If you would like to go with me, I can wake you for a morning run. That would probably be the easiest since we would be together after sleeping anyway, but if you would rather a night run, we could always meet up for that too.

[When his brother mentions the clown floor, he steps closer and puts his arm around the other man's shoulders.]

Don't worry. If you want to stay on the stairs that's fine. There are a few floors I don't spend longer than I absolutely have to on and that is one of them. However, I don't like to hide from it either. There might be a day when I need to help someone there and I don't want to freeze again.

I'd like to try both. If you're gonna get on that floor, then I'm coming too. Just remind me not to get too close.

I will. If you come with me though, will you promise me one thing?

[He gives his brother a serious look.]

You admit I know more about most of the floors than you, right? If I tell you something will you promise to listen to me? To do what I say without question? There are some floors where things can start and cannot be stopped no matter what. The events are rare and I have only heard of them through others, but they all say very specifically that nothing will stop what has been set in motion. If something like that triggers I want you out. There is no reason for us both to die.

[Because on those floors, Diarmuid would be the first to go in. There would be no arguing that. He knows the floors better and the signs of what might be going on.]

[He uses some time to think. When it comes to matters outside of battle, he's liable to do things without thinking. It was fine when it was just him cleaning up his own messes, but he doesn't want to drag Diarmuid down with him like he did on that circus floor.]

Yeah, I can do that...

[It's just the last thing that gives him pause. The idea of leaving Diarmuid behind to die doesn't sit well with him.]

But if I listen and run off of that floor, will you be safe? Promise me that you won't die.

[Diarmuid shakes his head.]

I cannot do that because that is exactly what will happen, but that is what I need you to understand.

[He catches and holds his brothers eyes.]

If the event starts, whoever is there will die. Nothing can stop it and trying will likely result in more than one person dying. Even I have to accept that if I come across that event in progress there is nothing I can do to save the person involved. I hate it, believe me I do, but I have it on good word that any attempts to change things will fail.

You have to promise you will leave me to my fate and not follow me or else you cannot come with me. I won't risk you dying again. You have done so too many times!

I know the risks every time I step onto floors like those to check them and so far I have been lucky. The events seem to be as rare as those I have talked to say, but that doesn't mean I will leave your fate to chance. You will listen to me on this or you will not go.

[He hates being this firm about things, but he would rather have his brother alive and angry than dead again, especially if his brother's death count is getting as high as Diarmuid suspects it is.]

[Cu Chulainn glares back at his brother, reaching out and grabbing Diarmuid's arms with both hands.]

And what about you? Haven't you died too many times as well?

[It was always so horrible as well. At least Cu Chulainn could say there were times when he died without regrets.]

I have died far fewer times than you have. but that isn't the important part of this.

[Diarmuid reaches up and gently cradles his brothers face in his hands.]

The important part is I care about you and I don't want you to die when there is nothing that can be done to save me. It will be bad enough to die because I have no want to do so, but it will be worse if you also die for no reason.

[He lets his hands drop away before adding.]

If you could stay outside the floor until it is over and act as a witness, that would be acceptable, but I cannot have you trying to stop what can't be stopped.

Brother, I...

[He grits his teeth.]

...I've watched one too many people important to me just die. A-and I hate it when that happens.

[He mumbles his next sentence.]

I just really hate when I fail.

It's not failing, brother! Not when they put you into an impossible situation!

[Diarmuid runs a hand through his hair. How else is he suppose to explain this? He needs his brother to understand.]

How about if I put it this way? If I die because of one of their stupid tricks, I need you alive to finish patrolling the floors and watching over our friends. These tricks of theirs are meant to make us fail. To drag us away from whatever we are doing.

Brother, it's not failure if you are helping me keep from failing at my task. Do you understand? I need you to carry on while I am away.

[He hesitates for a long while, and then finally, slowly, nods.]

I'll carry on with your task. And then I'll wait for you to come back.

Oh, and just as a warning, I'm gonna draw on your face when you do, so try hard not to die.

Don't worry. I would really rather not die again anytime soon.

[His gaze drifts over his brother's shoulder, searching the room until he finds a certain someone. He then nods in Waver's direction.]

And I would rather he not have to feel me die again. Once was more than enough.

[Lancer turns to look at Waver.]

Do you want some time with him now? I'll leave you guys to talk. Wake me up early tomorrow so we can patrol together, alright?

If you don't mind, I think I will go talk to him. If nothing else, to thank him for coming.

[His gives his brother's shoulder one last squeeze.]

Bright and early tomorrow! Don't drink too much. I don't want you complaining when I wake you!

[Diarmuid laughs and then heads off in Waver's direction.]

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Finally, another party

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