[closed][backdated to the afternoon]

[sicharia]

Characters: [AU9] Claudia & [OU] Diarmuid
Setting: Floor 62
Format: Action
Summary: A new entry in Lancer's log of failed attempts to meddle with Diarmuid's love life.
Warnings: Will add if anything comes up.


[Claudia hadn't been sure what to make of the package she had received, or the accompanying letter. The roses, and the chocolate— It's obviously a romantic gesture, and in all honesty, she doubts she has made that kind of impression on anyone she has met in this place so far.]

[So, then, it's only natural that she feel suspicious when she arrives on the appointed floor. Despite her inability to defend herself and her uncertainty, she does as directed, though not without first praying that her decision be a wise one. In a place where death is impermanent, she can afford to act a little recklessly, especially when there's a chance that the meeting actually is important.]

[Her posture is cautious and her expression guarded as she scans the area for signs of another person.]

Comments

[oathshackledbird]

[Her words prompt another shake of his head.]

You don't need to worry about offending. While I may be a knight and hero who has killed my share of people, I cannot argue with what you say. There is no joy in killing and one should never become comfortable with it. Fighting another, testing your skill against theirs, there is joy in that, but each time a person dies a family loses someone they love. A wife loses her husband or son. Death might be necessary, but it should not be enjoyed. To do so means you have lost more than the person you just killed because you are dead inside and you don't even know it.

[sicharia]

You're a good man.

[That reply seems to do more to put her at ease with him than anything else he has said so far.]

Mm, but you don't need to worry about me, anyway. Carrying out God's will sometimes means accepting burdens, but He will never give one that is too much to bear. I know He will give me the strength I need to persevere.

[She manages to sound serene enough as she says this, and she even smiles. Of course, she feels less certain about her actions than what those words might imply, but—she prays and does her best to live according to God's word, so she has to have faith in herself and her own judgment now.]

[oathshackledbird]

I am afraid that telling me not to worry doesn't work so well. My wish to help others makes that pretty impossible.

[Diarmuid laughs lightly before becoming more serious.]

I am afraid I don't know much about your god and the Grail only gives me so much information. However, if he is what gives you the hope and strength to keep moving forward that is all that is important. No matter how strong we are, everyone needs a force like that to keep them moving sometimes.

[sicharia]

I'm glad that you understand. [She nods, more to herself than anything.] Many people don't, which can be frustrating. I— I'm not hurting anyone by feeling this way.

[Maybe she's still a little ruffled by her conversation with Garviel. A little.]

...That being said, I would appreciate if you could keep most of this conversation to yourself. Maybe I'm being overly cautious, but...

[She sighs, then smiles, the expression tired.]

[oathshackledbird]

"Of course you are not. Has someone told you were you wrong to believe as you do?" There is concern, but also anger in Diarmuid's tone. He might not believe in the same god as she does, but he believes in her right to follow whatever path she wants to. Especially when such path seems to give her so much strength. 'If so, they are the one who is wrong. Your beliefs are very important to you. I can tell from how you speak of them. You have every right to them."

Diarmuid pauses then and blushes slightly, embarrassed for having spoken like that, "Forgive me. And you needn't worry. Your secrets are safe with me."

There had been a time after Diarmuid first arrived that he had been far too open with the information he shared about himself and others as a result of both his wish for everyone to work together and his rebellion against Kayneth forcing so much secrecy on him during the war. Now, he still doesn't care to keep secrets about himself, but those of others no longer leave his lips.

[sicharia]

Oh! [She feels slightly taken aback by his concern for her, not having expected him to respond with such vehemence. She shakes her head, quickly.] No, it's not like... Well, he has his reasons for feeling as he does, even if I don't agree. It's nothing worth being concerned about. [And he has God's love anyway, so there. She smiles, then, a little weakly.] Thank you. I'm very grateful.

[oathshackledbird]

"He might have had his reasons, but they are his. He should not have pushed them onto you," Diarmuid sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "You are welcome. And can I say again that I am sorry my brother caught you up in all of this? I am glad to have gotten the chance to know you better, but I think much of this conversation should have probably happened differently."

Then again, without this prompting they probably wouldn't have talked about these things so maybe this meeting had been a good thing after all. Not that Diarmuid will ever tell his brother that.

[sicharia]

Maybe, but it didn't. [She smiles and shrugs a shoulder.] You don't need to apologize to me for it. You're not responsible for his actions, and speaking to you was no great trial on my part.

[oathshackledbird]

"True, I suppose thinking about the 'what ifs' doesn't really do anyone any good," Diarmuid smiles at her. "Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. Even if the things we talked about were not all pleasant, I am truly glad for this chance to get to know you better. I hope you know that you can contact me should you ever need aid with anything. I will always be willing to lend a hand."