A bridge can still be built, while the bitter waters are flowing beneath...

[oathshackledbird]

Characters: Diarmuid and whoever else runs into him! Closed sections for Tohko Amano (tohko_amano ) and Waver Velvet (fionnuisce ) & Sephiroth (pinnaculum ).
Setting: Floor 100, 39 (the Gym), 25 (the Meadow), 3 (the Library), and others.
Format: Any!
Summary: Diarmuid takes care of some loose ends, moves ahead some projects, and does some much needed thinking.
Warnings: None right now. Will update if that changes.
Note: Title quote credit to Anthony Liccione.

Floor 100 (Open):

For a long time after he started spending time here, Diarmuid had spent most of his time near the image of his house losing hours playing a game between himself and the floor seeing how well it actually had recreated the place he loved so much. After a while, though, he had started to move out and away from the house, through the yard, passed the training grounds and the dog kennels, and finally to the forest that had stood guard behind his house. Diarmuid had been disappointed to find that the illusion stopped a few feet into the treeline and thus short of where the stream had flowed, but it did go far enough back to include one of his favorite thinking spots from his first life.

The spot itself is nothing fancy. Just a small clearing with two trees leaning in toward each other shading a large rock with their branches. Of course, here he cannot sit upon or lean against the rock as he had so often done in the past, but he has found the perfect place to sit so that he can still imagine that is what he is doing. And so, it is here near the treeline that he has taken to sitting to think once he had lost the ability to do so in his room.

It seems to Diarmuid that almost all he has done lately is think, but at the same time, he has so much to think about. So much has happened to him so quickly over the last few months that he is honestly surprised he can still function. Nothing during his first life had prepared him for anything like this--this constant opening of old wounds and giving of new ones before the first had any time to heal. It is almost like the nightmare that had started when his master had ordered him to kill himself just had never ended.

Yet, there are bright points. A great many of them and that is why Diarmuid is so determined to finally get his mind straightened out. It will take time, he knows, but it will also take him finally forcing himself to believe so many of the things he has realized through his talks with others. Things Diarmuid has asked others to do, but always seems to forget to ask himself to do.

He has told both Cecil and Waver that he knows he holds himself to higher standards than others and really needs to stop. Everyone is equal in the tower. Everyone has had their souls taken from their bodies and placed into false forms. There is no reason for him to expect so much more from himself especially when expecting so much only sets him up for failure.

He has told Suzaku, Ryoji, and Mami that everyone makes mistakes and that making them doesn't make them any less of a person. As long as they don't stop fighting and don't let the mistakes beat them, there is always a chance to find forgiveness.

He has told Yata that 'knight' is just a label. It doesn't matter if others believe that is what you are as long as you know what you are in your heart and act to serve the best way you can.

And he has told his brother and Hidetoshi that he knows he is in a rut of negative feelings. He just has to find his way out.

That is why Diarmuid is spending so much time here just thinking and watching the illusionary trees move in the breeze. Sometimes he's meditating on things using a technique that Oisin taught him so very long ago. Sometimes he has actually dozed off during his thoughts and sometimes, soft singing in ancient Gaelic can be heard drifting across the floor as he unconsciously releases his emotions in a way that so many around him did when he was young.

Floor 25 (Closed to Tohko, tohko_amano ):

He picked the meadow as the place where he wanted to meet with Tohko because it is one of the few floors where it isn't unusual for people to meet and talk. It is safe, large enough that several groups can be talking in it without bothering each other, and also has plenty of room away from the walls and the prying eyes of any devices the Administrators might be using to spy on them. With the loss of the sauna as a place to safely discuss things like the resistance--he has seen the units working there and guessed that some of the information that had been discovered by Jason's little ploy must have been about the lack of cameras on that floor--they've had to make due the best they can.

As Diarmuid waits for her to arrive, he sits and casually twists flowers together into chains and rings as a way to relax and pass time. Tohko is already late and he hopes that is just because she is taking time to lose the new 'friend' he hears she has picked up. Despite being proud of the fact she is not letting the dangers involved with being a part of the resistance stop her, Diarmuid can't help but worry that someday she will get in way over her head and not be able to find her way back out.

Floor 3 (Closed to Waver, fionnuisce and Sephiroth, pinnaculum ):
(OOC: Is a posting order of Diarmuid -> Waver -> Sephiroth okay?)

As Diarmuid enters the library and looks around for Sephiroth or Waver, there is excitement in his eyes. Ever since he had heard from Sephiroth that the printing press is working, he has been looking forward to learning how to use it. Well, honestly he doesn't care so much for the workings of the machine itself like Waver might. What he does care about is the fact that learning to use it is one big step forward toward getting the information he and the others have gathered about the dangers of the tower's floors out to the public. Add in the fact that Waver is going to be learning it with him since he and Sephiroth seem to get along so well and Waver has an interest in the machine anyway, and it is shaping up to be a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.

Diarmuid's just going to have to keep reminding himself that Waver probably won't appreciate having ink smeared on him, because for some reason the image of the magus with ink smeared all over his face just keeps popping into his head...

Any Floor (Open):
(OOC: Feel free to use this prompt not only if you want to have you character catch Diarmuid leaving the information sheets around, but also if you would like your character to find and comment on one!)

Diarmuid just can't stop smiling. Not only had learning the printing press gone well, but the rough drafts of the floor information that he is holding in his hands as a result are a huge step forward for the project. It doesn't matter that right now the papers are missing some of the information that has been gathered and the map that Saber has been working on. It is still progress.

On the sheet he is looking at, the floors have been divided into three groups--floors that are completely safe, floors that are safe as long as you are careful or have some kind of fighting skill, and floors that are dangerous even for those who are highly trained in fighting. Each floor has a short summary of what it is and its dangers if there are any. It is a commonsensical way to organize things, but the set up and the limitations of the printing press mean that there isn't nearly as much information on it as he would like. Organization is something he will definitely have to discuss with everyone once they gather together again. In the meantime, he has put his name and room number on the dozen or so copies he has along with a request that any suggestions for improvement be sent to him.

After giving the sheets one more look over, Diarmuid heads off to start leaving them around the tower. His limited number means he has to be selective, so he focuses on leaving them on well traveled floors like the library, cafeteria, gym and lounges. He also leaves them near some of the more dangerous floors, all in places where he can easily check on them when he patrols next to see if he can get some idea of how quickly they are going to disappear. The information will be important later when they are deciding how many copies to make and where to leave them.

Floor 39 (Open):

After dropping off the last of the information sheets and finishing his patrol for the day, Diarmuid is still too excited to retire for the night, so he instead stops by the gym. Anyone who has fought with him before or has watched him practice will notice that his movements seem different than usual. There is a lightness and a joy to them now that makes him even more fun to watch. Without any real rhyme or reason he switches back and forth between practicing with his spear and the two swords he is carrying.

It's been a long time since he has felt this good. He has no idea how long the feeling will last, but he is being careful to memorize it so that when the darkness descends again like it always does in this place, he will have that to hold onto--to remind him that even if the progress may be slow, it is there. Someday they will be freed of all of this, and he has to be strong enough to make sure that not only do his friends make it there, he does as well because he friends will not be satisfied with anything else.

And for the first time in a long time, he won't be either.

Comments

Floor 25

[tohko_amano]

While Tohko was happy that she was going to meet up with her old friend again, getting rid of Ivan for a long time was always a pain. One had to run quickly up the steps, past him, then down, even faster so that you could pass him again and hopefully confuse him, and then into the nearest elevator, where he would have no idea where you were heading. While he did have to search the Tower, this usually took some time, and gave her some free time to herself.

When she finally ran into the meadow, carrying a pen and her new, blank notebook, she was out of breath. However, she still managed to wave to Diarmuid before sitting next to him.

"I'm..sorry that I'm late!" She sighed, regained her breath, and then continued. "Getting rid of Ivan is a huge pain if you want to have some free time for a little while. However, I am glad to see you again. How have you been holding up since I last saw you? Is everything okay?"

[oathshackledbird]

Diarmuid starts to rise to greet her, but stops as she settles onto the ground next to him. With a smile, he drops one of the flower rings he's been making onto her head, "I am doing okay, actually. I've spent a lot of time thinking over the last few days, and I think I might finally be getting something through this thick head of mine."

"Who is Ivan, though?" Almost as soon as he asks the question, a brief memory of Rin's 'decorated' retrieval units flash into his head and he suddenly knows the answer to his own question, "You've named your retrieval unit?"

[tohko_amano]

While she wasn't expecting the flower ring, Tohko did like it, even though she touched it in surprise before moving on. First the blanket, and now the ring.

"That's great! I'm glad to hear that. If you don't mind my asking, what have you gotten through your skull?"

At the question, Tohko nodded. "I have. After all, the name does fit him, and it's easier to talk about him if he has a name."

floor 3

[fionnuisce]

Waver was never really difficult to find--he spent an inordinate amount of time in this very library, in fact. Today he was waiting for both Diarmuid and Sephiroth, in the meantime writing in the usual notebook. His theories on the tower needed work; every so often he'd cross parts out altogether before starting to write again.

Irritated by one dead-end hypothesis after another, he tapped his pen impatiently against the pages and tried to get his thoughts in order before the others arrived.

[pinnaculum]

Sephiroth didn't take long to appear. He was looking rather pleased, in that his eyes ware bright, and he was almost smiling. He was excited to see Waver and Diarmuid again, and he was always glad of the opportunity to impart his knowledge. He liked to be both knowledgeable and helpful.

He teleported to within a few feet of Waver, impatient to arrive. "Hello." He looked at the notebook with interest. "Are you writing about magic?" He remembered Waver's interesting notes from the last time they'd met.

[oathshackledbird]

The shift in the air from Sephiroth's teleport draws Diarmuid's attention over to where Waver is sitting and only seconds later, he is also standing by the table. He arrives in time to hear the boy's question so instead of interrupting whatever answer Waver is about to give with his greetings, he merely nods to them.

Besides, just because he doesn't know much about the details of how magic works, doesn't mean he's not interested on what his friend is working on so hard today.

Floor 39 (Suzu-Rolo-Dia?)

[swordofzero]

Suzaku had given Rolo some time after the experiment, knowing how it would effect him and not sure how to go about helping him. But today he had decided the younger boy needed to stop hiding and went to find him.

He had promised to take him to show him how he could help others in the tower so that was what he was doing, they had been to gather some fruit. As he passed through the gymnasium he saw Diarmuid sparing and paused to watch, noting how differently the man was moving.

He glanced at Rolo and nodded at him, "It's alright, he is a friend of mine."

[tempus_scorpius]

Rolo had done as he was told and gathered as much fruit as he could carry, but he was still a lot more quiet than usual. Then he followed after Suzaku and he stopped to look over at this friend of Suzaku silently.

[oathshackledbird]

When Diarmuid pauses in his practicing, he's not surprised at all to see Suzaku there. After all, they often seem to meet in the gym. It surprises him a little more to see that his friend is not alone this time. He waves toward them and unsummons his spear before approaching them.

"Good evening Suzaku! How are you doing? Is this a friend of yours?" He smiles gently at Rolo and then bows to him. "I am Diarmuid Ua Duibhne. It is nice to meet you."

floor 39

[puppy_lancer]

Woah! So that's how you use your swords.

[Lancer is pretty impressed. He knew Diarmuid used swords, but he had never seen his brother train with them. And now he realizes the other Lancer was probably right when he said he should have been a Saber. The swords flashing through the air moved as quickly and smoothly, no, even faster and smoother, than Gae Dearg.]

Re: floor 39

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid pauses in his practicing when he hears his brother's voice. Smiling, he lets his weapons drop, before sheathing them and waving at Cu Chulainn.]

Thank you. This is the first time you have seen me use them, isn't it? Actually, it's the first time you've seen me duel-wielding come to think of it. Hopefully, I'm not too disappointing.

[He grins, knowing he is likely not, but unable to resist the tease anyway.]

Re: floor 39

[puppy_lancer]

[Cu Chulainn gives a barking laugh.]

Are you kidding? I wish I could dual wield half as good as that!

[A beat.]

Wait, I can use one spear as well or even better than you use two. So I really can dual wield half as good as that.

cafeteria

[prayed]

[Kyoko catches sight of Diarmuid going about his work in the cafeteria. At first, she doesn't say anything, with only the loud crunch of the wing of a fairy cookie being bitten off announcing her presence. Even so, curiosity leads her to lift up the sheet seconds after he sets it down, glancing at it without really paying any mind to what it says, before giving him an almost accusatory look.]

This has better not be more of that nonsense about heretics and how humans need to rise up against them or whatever. If it is, whoever wrote not gonna have a hand to write with anymore.

[...well, it's one way to make a first impression.]

cafeteria

[oathshackledbird]

Hardly. I wouldn't waste my time on such dribble.

[He turns to look at her, the smile on his face a contrast to his previous harsh words. Diarmuid had noticed her watching him and was wondering how long it would take her to say something.

He holds up the sheets he's still got in his hands so that he doesn't have to disturb the one he has already laid out.]

This is something much more useful. At least it is our goal to make it useful It still needs work, but what it is is a listing of all the floors in the tower divided into three sections that are a rough telling of how dangerous the floors are. Each floor then has some notes about its specific characteristics and dangers listed below it.

[prayed]

[For a moment she's not sure how to handle such an honest response to her question, but it's not long before a smirk works it's way onto her face. She gives the paper another quick look. True to his word, it seems to be detailing the contents of each floor.]

Hah, not bad. First flier I've seen around here that's actually worth holding onto. Well, I can't say I really need it, but y'know, I don't mind checking your work.

floor 39

[blackwitch]

[ Even in the good times, there must be small annoyances, Diarmuid.. and even though Evatrice would normally have avoided him after being extremely butthurt over their last conversation and chucking that heart into his mailbox, there's something different now. Something that gives her more confidence.

Hence why she suddenly appears in the gym in a cloud of golden butterflies, sitting on top of one of the biggest weights lying on the ground. ]

Ah, there you are..!

floor 39

[oathshackledbird]

[The familiar and unwelcome voice causes Diarmuid to pause in his practice, though he doesn't turn to face her--to let her see his smile falter the little that it does before he manages to stop himself. When he speaks, his voice is light and almost dismissive. It might be rude, but so is sending someone a decomposing heart in the mail.]

To what do I owe this honor, Lady Witch?

[blackwitch]

Kyahahaha! [ At least she seems in the best of moods again, especially compared to last time. She giggles like a kid with an evil plan in mind, swinging her legs a little as she's sitting there. ]

That's true, it's such an honor, isn't it? Good that you know your place! [ She knows he meant it sarcastically, but she's ignoring that fact on purpose. ] I came to tell you some good news!

floor 39

[justiceerror]

[how curious, he seems to be running into the most... interesting individuals. like battler is someone that really cares about what he does on a daily basis, he simply roams, finding anything and anyone entertaining enough for him in order to pass the time. what else is he to do, he is merely furniture, a piece in this little game- even if his piece has been moved to the game board known as this tower.

still, he walks into the gym, seeing lancer practicing, and battler lets out a sound.]

Hehh.... that is quite the weapon you have there.

floor 39

[oathshackledbird]

Thank you. It was a gift to me from my father.

[Diarmuid lets his spear drop to his side and turns the face the newcomer. If his voice seems a little wary, it is because it is. The man has only said a few words to him, but for some reason Diarmuid's battle instincts are on alert. Still, he tries to be polite. There is no reason to rude to someone he doesn't know.]

I don't believe we have met before. Might I ask your name?

do what you gotta do

[justiceerror]

[no need to be on full alert just yet, of course he is a ruthless murderer, sadistic until the bitter end, but for right now he's simply looking for some entertainment.]

We have not. You may call me.... Battler. [even if it's a borrowed name.] And yours?

floor 19

[marriedthebloke]

[Admit it. You hate all your friends. Eventually, you'll kill one another]

[Sola-ui already knew she could trust no one in this place. And now, she knows she can't trust Diarmuid either. After all, why else had he done a poor job of protecting Waver, and then tell her that her daughter had gone to a wasteland? Why else would he argue against her at every opportunity? She can't trust this man. He hates magi, so for all his pretensions, he must hate her as well.]

[But there was a problem. In her previous weakness, she had told him too much. He knows her strengths, her weaknesses, the locations that she lingers at. At any moment, he could sneak up on her and kill her.]

[So she had to kill him first.]

[Her hand clenches around her dagger, holding the weapon behind her back as she leans against a shelf. She knows he makes rounds around the Tower. It's a simple matter of waiting for him to come up to this floor.]

Re: floor 19

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid doesn't usually pause long on this floor because it is a safe one. No monsters. Usually, just people studying or just looking for a quiet place to spend some time. However, with all the odd rumors floating around--some of which actually seemed to be coming true somehow--he pauses a little longer to more thoroughly check the floor.

It is during this search that he notices Sola-Ui and since he hasn't talked to her after their discussion about Waver over the Network--a discussion that had left her very upset--he takes a moment to approach her so he can see how she is.]

Hey...

[His voice is gentle as he walks over.]

How are you doing? Have you had a chance to think about the things we talked about? Are you more at ease now?

floor 100;

[proteusmoon]

This is a floor that Cecil has chosen not to visit whenever she has ample time and few distractions. She has only ever been here once before, having found it too painful and too tempting to frequent it. The emotions that seeing Castle Baron again bring to the surface when she steps onto the floor renders her throat tight and her heart pounds. It's difficult to breathe and she feels dizzy.

Her world... her home and her friends... This doesn't exist anymore.

Cecil walks along the bridge that connects the cliffs the castle is set on and the town of Baron to the front of the castle, staring over the wall at the sea's waves that crash against the cliffside, frozen in time. This is a sight she knows well in motion and if she closes her eyes and pretends a little harder, she imagines she can hear the roar of the sea and smell the brine. Of course, it is just an illusion though and the red flags atop the castle towers don't wave in the wind like she knows they should be.

With a sigh, she turns away from the castle and begins to head back for the stairs. If she stays here too long, she'll never want to leave.

About halfway there, a familiar sound reaches her ears and she stops, turning her head to look over her shoulder. There's no one there, nor further down to the entrance of Castle Baron, but she can still hear singing in a language she doesn't know. It nags at her mind; she knows without any explanation that she's heard it before. Driven onwards by the mysterious familiarity of the singing, she follows the sound down to the village and is surprised to find a friend lounging and singing by the river that runs through town beneath a tree.

"...Diarmuid?"

floor 100;

[oathshackledbird]

Diarmuid doesn't even realize he's singing, he is so lost in his thoughts. Since he knows this floor is a safe one, there are actually very few things that can reach him right now. Cecil is lucky her voice is one of those things.

Even so, it takes him a while to come back to reality, and once he opens his eyes, it's obvious he's still making his way back from how soft and distant they are. They are also confused as if, even though he had heard her voice, Cecil is not the woman he is expecting to see. That is because, for an instant, she is not.

It's his wife he expected to see...

But the instant passes and he blinks his eyes rapidly, finally focusing on the present and on her.

"Cecil? Have you been here long?"