oathshackledbird: Sunglasses (Sunglasses)
Diarmuid Ua Duibhne ([personal profile] oathshackledbird) wrote in [community profile] towerofanimus2013-05-16 11:21 pm

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

Characters: Diarmuid and whoever else runs into him! Closed sections for Tohko Amano ([personal profile] tohko_amano ) and Waver Velvet ([personal profile] fionnuisce ) & Sephiroth ([personal profile] 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, [personal profile] 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, [personal profile] fionnuisce and Sephiroth, [personal profile] 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.

tohko_amano: (Fallen)

Floor 25

[personal profile] tohko_amano 2013-05-17 05:16 am (UTC)(link)
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?"
fionnuisce: (pain held in your hands are shaking cold)

floor 3

[personal profile] fionnuisce 2013-05-17 09:02 am (UTC)(link)
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.
swordofzero: (not impressed)

Floor 39 (Suzu-Rolo-Dia?)

[personal profile] swordofzero 2013-05-17 04:42 pm (UTC)(link)
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: (stares into your soul)

[personal profile] tempus_scorpius 2013-05-17 07:12 pm (UTC)(link)
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.
Edited 2013-05-17 19:15 (UTC)
puppy_lancer: the-man-of-light@tumblr (Down a bóithrín green came a sweet maid)

floor 39

[personal profile] puppy_lancer 2013-05-17 08:47 pm (UTC)(link)
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.]
tohko_amano: (Happy)

[personal profile] tohko_amano 2013-05-17 09:32 pm (UTC)(link)
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."
puppy_lancer: <user name=cu-chulainn> (and say an "Ave")

Re: floor 39

[personal profile] puppy_lancer 2013-05-18 12:32 am (UTC)(link)
[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.
puppy_lancer: (They're rolling out the guns again)

Re: floor 39

[personal profile] puppy_lancer 2013-05-18 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
[His grin becomes a smirk.]

Are you asking me to spar with you?
tohko_amano: (Gentle smile)

[personal profile] tohko_amano 2013-05-18 01:42 am (UTC)(link)
Which, if Tohko knew about that, would make her think that this would help people fall in love with him if he didn't already have that curse of a spot.

"Well, that wouldn't surprise me! People in fiction and real life do the same thing when they have something attached to them. I haven't seen anyone drawing on their stalkers, but it wouldn't surprise me." At the suggestion, Tohko couldn't help but chuckle "If there were, I would like a large one, so I could add 'Have you seen Woland?' on it."

Since Tohko was going with The Master and Margarita nicknames, it would be understandable if Diarmuid didn't know about that. However, she wouldn't mind telling him about the story. She looked a little bit puzzled when he blushed, but when he finished explaining himself, she smiled.

"That's good to hear! You were probably holding people up to other standards because you wanted to help them out more and understood when they couldn't..but couldn't see that sometimes you couldn't either. But I'm glad that you finally got that through your head."
pinnaculum: (it marked the edge)

[personal profile] pinnaculum 2013-05-18 01:58 am (UTC)(link)
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.
puppy_lancer: <user name=aicons> (They shall never sound in slavery)

Re: floor 39

[personal profile] puppy_lancer 2013-05-18 03:37 am (UTC)(link)
[He hesitates for a second, and then summons up Gae Bolg.]

Don't underestimate me, now. Lest you accidentally wind up with no spears anymore.
tohko_amano: (Delicious)

[personal profile] tohko_amano 2013-05-18 04:44 am (UTC)(link)
It wasn't really a joke..it had started with nicknames for Wilhelm and Allen, since she didn't know Allen's name, and had found out about what he was through The Master and Margarita. The naming scheme had stuck, in some way. At the question though, she nodded.

"It does! In The Master and Margarita, one of the main characters, Ivan Nikolayevich Ponyryov, also known as 'Homeless', learns very early on the story that Woland is the Devil, and chases him and his retinue through the streets when Woland's prediction of his friend dying by decapitation comes true. While Ivan is mostly unsuccessful, he never gives up on his chase. That's how it fits with my stalker. He keeps chasing me down like I'm Woland..and, to be honest, Jason may see us all as little devils."

When Diarmuid mentioned that the units sometimes got switched out, Tohko nodded, thinking. "They probably get changed out so that the Administrators can clean them up or get rid of their markings. I wouldn't think that the Administrators would like them being personalized in any way."

...Since they were sitting down, Diarmuid was quite a bit shorter, so Tohko tried to pat him on the head.

"It's always hard to break out of old habits, especially when you grow into them. And while there's nothing wrong with being a knight and helping people, it's good to hear that you're realizing and taking care of your limits..and being a bit more self-aware. Hopefully you can fully shake off those old habits soon."
swordofzero: (sadface)

[personal profile] swordofzero 2013-05-18 05:16 am (UTC)(link)
Suzaku nodded at him politely, "It is, this is Rolo." He remembered telling Diarmuid about him though he wasn't sure if he had told Rolo about Diarmuid. He remained silent letting Rolo deal with the rest of the introduction.
puppy_lancer: <user name=hound-of-ulster> (Could not bring his proud soul under)

Re: floor 39

[personal profile] puppy_lancer 2013-05-18 08:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Now you're talking.

[Killing intent starts radiating off of Lancer. Not as intense as he would have in a real battle, but still a rather fierce one. He charges forward and thrusts his spear.]
tohko_amano: (Happy)

[personal profile] tohko_amano 2013-05-18 08:55 pm (UTC)(link)
"Exactly. While he probably isn't a demon, he probably views us in the same light. He sees us as little devils and we see him as one huge demon."

..For a brief moment, Tohko wondered what Dante would make of this situation before moving on. She could puzzle that one out on her own time. However, Tohko did get the meaning behind Diarmuid comment and sighed, nodding. "Of course not. It would mean that we could walk around and actually talk and have tea together without worrying about any unwanted table guests you might bring along. It really is annoying."

..It did make it harder to talk to Diarmuid about the resistance, but..no one knew if their eyes were good enough to see the things one wrote on a page. As she spoke, Tohko opened up her notebook and wrote a message.

'Might you think writing is free from unwanted eyes though?'

"Well..while it did take you awhile to get ready, it's good to hear that you finally are. Hopefully you can go beyond this point..and if you ever find yourself going backwards, talk to me and I'll do my best to set you forward again."

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