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

[tohko_amano]

"That's what I figured from the network post and our conversations afterwards. However..I don't think Ganon knows what Nyx. At least, I hope he doesn't. Knowing Ganon, he probably just let enough words slip to make it sound like they would take down the Administrators, and, therefore, help everyone..and left out the part where Ganon would probably take over and make almost everyone's life even worse than it is now."

In an attempt to get Tohko away from him, Ryoji had told her his story, but that had just the opposite effect..which was probably better for the both of them in the end, all things considered.

"I know I can't kill Ganon. I tried once before, back in October, and failed. However, I do agree with you. Since Sephiroth is the problem here, we have to deal with him. And is Sephiroth is stalking him..then there's really no one else it can be."

At least, in Tohko's mind. However, at this new information, Tohko couldn't help but actually give a bit of a genuine smile. While she didn't know how deep the relationship between the two ran, it was good that the two friends were able to be together..especially with Ryoji in such a tight spot.

"Ryoji didn't tell me, but that's great to hear! He has to come back to his room to sleep eventually, so, hopefully, you can catch him there..but it's good to hear that he's so close to a good friend. He keeps trying to push me away, so it's nice to hear that there's something there for him that he can't really run from."

At the question, Tohko sighed. "Nesir is a girl with brown hair that comes to about her shoulders..and she uses daggers, just like I do. Her speech pattern is a little off though, and she's missing some fingers from her left hand, if I remember correctly. We both killed each other back in October, and she stole my stuff and didn't give it back for quite awhile, so we're not exactly close."

[oathshackledbird]

Diarmuid manages to smile a bit, though his smile is still more strained than hers. It will take him a while to bleed off all his anger, but making plans does help with that.

"Ryoji is something of a son to me and recently he did me the honor of telling me he sees me like a father," Diarmuid's expression softens a little more as he speaks. "Though that wasn't why he moved rooms. When my curse went wild several weeks ago, he was affected and that was when he put the request in. I didn't know until much later that he had done it. It worried me to tell the truth. Not only was asking for such a thing a clear indicator to the administrators that obviously you care about that person, but who knows how things might have been twisted if the administrator in charge had been in a bad mood?

"Thankfully, nothing bad happened. Ryoji did try to push me away not long before he was moved, but I am pretty sure that was because of what happened during the last experiment and not because of anything Sephiroth is doing now. As I said, the last time I spoke to him he seemed fine. But it is as you say, unless he stops sleeping in our room, he must come back at some point and I will keep an eye out for him."

He pauses here to think over the information that Tohko has given him about Nesir. She seems normal enough--certainly nothing like Ganondorf or Sephiroth--but at the same time many of the little details in Tohko's description set off warning bells, "I don't think I have met her, but it is good to have that description so I can keep my eyes open for her. Thank you."

[tohko_amano]

When Diarmuid mentioned how close Diarmuid and Ryoji had become, she paused for a moment before really smiling. The two were like father and son, in some places. For a moment, Tohko was reminded of her own father for a moment, but she forced herself to get back to the matter at hand. She would just get sad if she reminisced right now.

"I'm sorry to hear that he was affected by your curse like that..but it's great to hear that the Administrators didn't take advantage of him. Maybe they thought that by sharing a room, Ryoji would be more exposed to you and get a little bit sadder..all while ignoring the fact that you two could help each other pull through.

And it's wonderful that you two have formed a family of sorts. Really, I am glad. Even if you're not actually family, it's great to hear that you two have that sort of relationship. Family's pretty important, so I am happy for the two of you.

It does seem that he has a habit of trying to push away others..but you should be able to see him again pretty soon, if you two are that close. And you're welcome. Nesir doesn't have any special powers, but she's almost as stubborn as I am sometimes, so you'll have to be careful."

[oathshackledbird]

"I would not even say a family of sorts. If I call you family, that is what you are. There is no 'sort of' about it. Bonds of blood, while they may be strong are not the only bonds that can be so. Indeed, my own father was not bonded by blood to me, but by something much stronger," Diarmuid pauses, his eyes growing distant as he thinks back on his past. After a moment he shakes his head slightly, returning to the present, "Ryoji has never had a real family and this may be the only chance he gets. I am going to do everything in my power to see that he can enjoy what so many people take for granted.

"But enough of that for now. I will let you know if I learn anything when I talk to him next. If you would be kind enough to do the same, I would appreciate it," he takes a moment and nods toward the notebook in her lap. "I am sorry for distracting us from the song writing. Was there anything else you would like me to look at?"

[tohko_amano]

While Diarmuid didn't know that they were going to, those words hit Tohko a bit. Would that process, just calling or thinking someone was family to make them part of it, work for everyone? Tohko wasn't sure if she wanted that method to work for her. After all, while she didn't mind being a big sister or mother figure to some, she..wouldn't really like someone trying to call her a daughter. While they were dead, Tohko's parents were very important to her, and while she knew that it wasn't true, it was hard to shake the feeling that accepting a new one would shove them out of place.

However, she managed to keep her smile in place while she thought and spoke about the issues at hand.

"That's true. You would have a bit more actual experience with that than I, but you're right. Family bonds aren't just built by blood. I'm aware of that. But hopefully the both of you will be able to enjoy this for as long as you can. I don't know if Ryoji had much of a foster family back home, but I'm sure you two will enjoy being a family!

And don't worry. If I find out anything new, I'll let you know about it as soon as I can."

After all, with something like this, now that she knew a bit of the whole scope of it, there was no way Tohko could leave him out of the picture now. At the question, Tohko smiled and tapped on what she had written before the conversation had diverted a bit.

"It's alright! Don't worry about it. However..how do these lines sound? They're supposed to be really sweet, but I'm not sure if it has some salt mixed in or not."

[oathshackledbird]

"He doesn't have any family back home," Diarmuid shakes his head, expression saddening. "He told me he had only been alive for around 2 months when he was brought here. In no way can the life he has experienced so far be called normal. He has made a few friends back home, but at the same time it is hard for him to feel like he deserves to have them because...of Nyx and what she will eventually do..."

He pause, shaking his head again and then smiles a small smile, "Sorry. There is so much I want to do for him because of all of that, but he's not here right now. Lets focus on the song, shall we? So you want it to be just sweet, then? Nothing bittersweet or salty as you say?"

Diarmuid looks over the notebook in his hands taking a moment and then starting to write, 'That would be a good idea. I don't know if Naoya's hacking skill is something that can be taught or it is an ability specific to him, but if nothing else, perhaps there is something he can share should he disappear from the tower. As much as we hate to think of people leaving, in something as important as this, we have to plan for everything.

'I will be sure to ask Zelda about the power interactions. This is too important to let any question no matter how small go unasked.

'I thank you for all of your help, Tohko. It means so much to me that you are willing to trust me with all of this. Thank you for the honor.'

"How is that? Perhaps a little less salty and more sweet?"

[tohko_amano]

At that, Tohko sighed and nodded. "I know, Diarmuid. Back when Ryoji was trying to chase me away, he told me his whole story, about Nyx, Minato, and everything else. I know that he probably doesn't have any biological family, but he..might have had a foster family for awhile. Maybe. That's just my guess, so I could be wrong."

While her smile had been a bit of a mask, when Diarmuid smiled a little, hers became genuine. "It's alright! Don't worry about it. I felt the same way about a friend back home when I found out about her problems, so I understand how you feel a little. But..you know, I wouldn't mind there being some salt in the song. After all, sweet love songs are made even more wonderful sometimes because they have a bit of an edge to them! Maybe if it was like this.."

Once again, Tohko began to write.

'I think it is something that can be taught, since it involves actively working with the machines. While I don't want him to vanish, you're right in the fact that we have to plan for everything here.

You're right. Plus, it might help us find out more about what the end result of these chips might bring. If you find out anything, let me know.

Diarmuid..you're welcome..but to be honest, it feels more like I should be thanking you. This is a dangerous operation, and if we're caught, we could die for good. Really, thank you. I know this is risky, so I'm happy that you're helping me and the others out with it.'

"How about that? Doesn't that just make you want to smile and weep at once?"

[oathshackledbird]

Diarmuid shakes his head, " I honestly don't know if you are right or wrong on that. He has only told me parts of his story despite how close we are. A lot of the time, I feel he would rather not talk of it and instead focus on making his life here. I like seeing him moving forward and so I don't press when he is like that. What good will it do?"

Diarmuid looks over the 'song' for a moment before nodding and reaching for the pencil, "That is definitely an improvement, but let me try a little rewording here. I think that will make it flow more smoothly. Be sure to tell me what you think."

'It would be good if the skill can be taught. Just like it is good that several people will be learning to use the printing press. I wish you good luck with that.

'I will be sure to let you know if I find anything out. I am not afraid of dying, even permanently if it will help the people who are trapped here. Despite all the pain, I have experienced so many good things and it is all because of those people who were patient enough to seem me through my troubles. I will do anything to repay them for that. I know that they would rather me be beside them at the end of everything, and I would rather that as well. I have promised someone I will go back to his world with him and help him take care of his life's goal. I have no intention of going back on that promise.

Still, if it comes down to it. I would rather he have that chance to complete his goal with my memory in his heart than to never have the chance at all.'

Diarmuid blushes lightly once he finishes writing, "Sorry, I think I got a little caught up in that. That was more than I intended to change. What do you think of it, though?"

[tohko_amano]

"Well, it might help you understand him a bit more..but you're probably doing the best thing. I have a bad habit of pushing people too much sometimes. While I'm working on getting rid of it, it does rear it's head sometimes. However, Ryoji only told me his whole story because he was trying to scare me off. After the incident, we exchanged letters, and while I kept telling him that it wasn't his fault and that I wanted to be friends, he kept trying to push me away. I think he thought his story would make him look inhuman and scary, so that I wouldn't interact with him..but I've faced similar and worse things here in the Tower, so it didn't really work. However..it is good that he's trying to move forward and enjoy his life."

Tohko noticed that blush, but said nothing about it. However, she did grin and think that Diarmuid had a small crush on whoever he was talking about. Maybe. "It's alright! Don't worry about it. That's actually pretty good..but the tempo here is a bit off. If you changed it, it might become a delicious, cold sorbet, like this.."

'I had no idea that there was a printing press here! Where is it? Can you teach me how to use it? I've been dying to eat a friend's handwriting for months now, and even a copy of his penmanship is better than nothing.

I'm glad to hear that you've planned out a bright future with a friend of yours. I bet if gives you something to look forward to, even if you're not afraid of dying for good here. As I said on the day I gathered some people together, I have no problem with sacrificing myself if I know that it will help everyone. I'm not quite sure yet what future or path I'll take if we succeed..but I'm willing to fight for mine and everyone elses.'

[oathshackledbird]

"He has tried that method for pushing people away many times, and I am so glad to see that no one really falls for it. He is a good person who is living through extraordinary things, none of which are his fault. Someday, I hope he will accept that and stop trying to push everyone away.

"However, just like him, you should not be too hard on yourself especially since you are working so hard to change that thing about you. I wish you much luck in taking the fault and turning into something more positive. I am sure you can do it," Diarmuid smiles gently at her before reaching for the notebook so he can see what she has written.

"Those changes are better, you are right. Do you think adding in this would help? I think it might make it richer, but it might be too much..." Diarmuid taps the pencil against the paper before starting to write.

'It was apparently hidden way back in one of the corners of the library. It must have been very well hidden if you did not find it with all the time you spend there. The younger Sephiroth is the one who found it and figured out how to use it. He is going to actually be teaching me and Waver later today. I would be glad to show you how once he has or if you happen to run into him yourself, I am sure he would be glad to help you out. He likes learning and teaching things to people.

'It is amazing how much difference having a goal can make in your ability to go on and heal. I really think the reason I am finally being able to move forward myself is because I have that goal and my friend to work with now.'

[tohko_amano]

"He really is going through tough times, even here..but, since that tactic doesn't seem to work on anyone, I think he'll stop using it soon. After all, if you and I managed to get through to him, I'm sure others will be able to.

Oh..don't worry! I'm sure I'll get better at it soon. I'm working on it, so it has to happen eventually. Thank you though. We need all the luck we can get in this place." Tohko returned the smile before letting Diarmuid have the notebook and the pen.

"It's not too rich! This is just right! All it needs now is the right garnish, and it'll be right for eating. Or reading. I've never been very good at cooking for myself, so I'm not sure how this will turn out, to be honest." She then reached for the notebook to put the 'garnish' on the song.

'It had to be either well hidden, or put there recently. I keep running around in the library, due to Ivan, so I might have missed it, but it's good that Sephiroth found it! He's a good person, so I don't think he'll mind teaching you and Waver. If you could teach me later on though, I would appreciate it. Really, I would. Like I wrote, I've been drooling over these pages for months now, and my own handwritten copies just don't taste the same.

Well, that's good to hear! I'm glad you're able to move forward because of your goal..but you know, that's pretty normal in stories too. Odysseus kept on moving because he had a family to get back too, and Dantes kept on living for his revenge plot. I'm not exactly certain what future or path I'll choose when we succeed..but I'm fighting so that everyone can have their universes and their futures again, and so that I can even follow through with any decision I make.'

[oathshackledbird]

"I am sure it will turn out just fine. After all, in both writing and cooking a lot is determined by how much heart it put into it, and I would say we are both putting a lot into this. If you would, I think I would like to add just a tad bit more here," he points to the paper. "Call it my garnish to the song so it will end with a bit from us both."

He seems to study the paper for several moments before writing, 'It was well hidden from what he says. Perhaps even hidden behind or under something. In any event, I will be glad to make sure you learn how to use it. The more people who know, the better off we will be.

'Is there anything else you need to let me know?

'And before I forget to ask, do you know a boy by the name of Hidetoshi?'

[tohko_amano]

As Diarmuid wrote, Tohko watched him before nodding to herself, thinking. "That's a pretty good garnish! It just needs a bit of a side dish of fresh fruit to go with it, and we should be fine!" With that, Tohko took the notebook back before writing again.

'That would explain why I hadn't seen it before now then. Thank you though. I'll teach anyone else who asks about it as well. It should prove helpful to everyone here.

And that's all I have, as far as updates go..but I do know Hidetoshi. We both fought together when Ganon altered the Tower a few months ago. Why do you ask?'

[oathshackledbird]

Diarmuid watches her write, nodding, "I think we are just about done. However, I think we might want to shift this phrasing just a bit."

He taps at a paragraph about midway down the page before starting to write, 'Hidetoshi is both a friend of mine and of my brother. He is an honest, hardworking person who was hurt badly by this last round of experiments as so many were. He has shown an interest in helping the resistance. May I give him your name as a contact? So far I have only told him vague basics, but with this thing with the microchips starting, I expect things will be becoming much more active for us, and we will need all the help we can get. I would like to have him more involved if possible.'

[tohko_amano]

At that new addition, Tohko thought for a moment before nodding to herself and reaching for the notebook and the pen.

"It's good..but if we're going to do that, we could probably edit a few things up here.." Tohko pretended to cross out a few words before writing.

'I haven't spoke much to Hidetoshi before or after that incident..but he was a good thinker, and fast on his feet. If you think we can trust him, then I have no problem with you telling him about our plans and having him help us.'

[oathshackledbird]

Diarmuid nods, reaching for the pen they have been using and then pointing up near the top of the page, "And then here needs a little adjustment, but just a little one."

'I don't know if I will tell him about the microchips for now, but I did want to slowly start working him into things. Thank you. I really appreciate your help in this. I am sure he can be trusted.'

[tohko_amano]

At that, Tohko smiled before tapping on the middle of the page. "Ah, but if you change that part, you have to alter this line a bit to make it fit." With that, Tohko reached for the pen once more.

'Ah, alright then. You're welcome! Knowing you, I'm sure you wouldn't bring anyone else into this unless you thought they were trustworthy. Again, thank you for all your help. I really do appreciate it, both as a leader here, and as your friend."

[oathshackledbird]

"Yes! And one last edit right about here should probably finish it off!" Diarmuid points at a spot on the page, smiling happily.

He then writes on the paper, 'I am being extremely cautious. There is a reason he is only the second person I have mentioned anything about the resistance to. We must be careful with so very much at stake.'

"There! What do you think? Will this be a tasty masterpiece after all that work?"

[tohko_amano]

While she didn't say anything, Tohko did smile as she reached for the notebook and pen one last time.

'Good! I'm glad to hear that. We do have to be careful..especially since we're making some progress.'

"It does look and smell tasty! There's really only one way to tell though!"

And, if Diarmuid would let her, Tohko would rip out one of the pages they had been writing on and start to eat it, ripping it into smaller, bite-sized pieces and popping it in her mouth, much like how one would handle a piece of bread.

[oathshackledbird]

"Of course! By all means go ahead," Diarmuid watches her curiously as she eats the paper. It's the first time he has seen her do it and even though he knows that it is like food to her, it still seems very odd to watch her eat it in such a way. "Well, how is it? Did we do okay?"

[tohko_amano]

Even if Tohko knew that this was a bit surreal to Diarmuid, she would still be happy that he didn't really mind eating in front of him. As she ate, she nodded and gushed about the 'song' they had written.

"We did! This is just delicious! There's some pineapple here, and strawberries dusted with sugar..oh, there's some freshly baked bread with butter on this side of the page! And smoked cheese further down! And there's a whole pitcher of lemonade..oh..and a glass of mint julep. I should be fine with that part though."

Whenever Tohko finished with a page, she would move on to the next one, gushing about it all the while. In truth though, the pages tasted like chicken caesar salad with vinegar. It was still tasty, but not near the levels she was describing.

[oathshackledbird]

Diarmuid laughs at her descriptions. He has a feeling the words are not nearly so tasty as she describes, but he appreciates the effort, "Mint julep? That sounds alcoholic. It seems like whenever I write something for you I end up getting you tipsy. I suppose I should not be surprised considering the drinking reputation people from my country have. However, it sounds like there are plenty of other things to offset that. I suppose that means that this was indeed a success. We should do it again sometime soon."

[tohko_amano]

As she ate and spoke, Tohko waved a hand, trying to show that everything was alright.

"Oh, don't worry about it! Mint julep's are pretty sweet, and as long as I don't drink too much, I should be fine. Besides, drinking in small amounts like this might help my tolerance. I'm kind of tired of getting drunk and singing every time I eat a bittersweet love story or a heavy philosophical work. But you're right! We should really try cooking again sometime and actually show our work off before we eat it next time."

At that, Tohko paused before holding the notebook, with it's ripped pages, out for Diarmuid.

"Oh, I'm sorry! Would you like some?"

[oathshackledbird]

Diarmuid smiles and shakes his head politely, "No thank you. Somehow I don't think it will taste as good to me as it does to you. Besides, I am just having fun watching you enjoy it so much. I am glad we did so well. We definitely need to do this again. Maybe next time we can make a copy so we can show it to others before eating it. Would a copy of what we write taste as good, I wonder? Or would it lose some of the flavor for being just a copy and not the actual first draft we worked so hard on?"

[tohko_amano]

Tohko nodded at that response before going back to eating their 'song'. She figured that would be the response, but it didn't feel polite to not ask before she ate it all up. At the questions, she smiled. These she could answer, even if the answers would be weird.

"Ah, alright then! It really is great that our first dish came out like this though. We'll have to do this again soon and make a copy of it so that Rise or V/V can use it the next time they want to sing. However..I know it sounds odd, but it depends upon how you make the copy. If it started as a handwritten song, like the one we just made, than unless it's a physical copy in our handwriting, the flavor will diminish. Of course, if it was something typed up on the computer at first, any copies you made wouldn't diminish in flavor at all, assuming, of course, that the machines didn't mess up the paper, make errors in the text, or anything else happened."