[open] // do what we must because we can

[fionnuisce]

Characters: Waver and open
Setting: Floor 27, cafeteria, dorm floors
Format: Either
Summary: Tea, science, and sleep are Waver's priorities. In that order.
Warnings: None yet.

[floor 27]

[Waver had spent the majority of his time in the laboratory; being the leader of the group researching the clear collar fluid, he might have felt obligated even if it didn't fascinate him. Luckily (for some value of the word), he was a researcher that often became utterly absorbed in his work to the point of forgetting everything else. 'Minor' things like sleeping and eating, for example.]

[Though he hid it the best he could, if the ponytail-wearing magus looked exhausted that was likely no one's imagination. Today he was looking over his own hastily-written notes and narrowing his eyes at the container of fluid itself as though it had perhaps insulted his mother, thin cloud of cigarette smoke hanging in the air in front of him.]

[cafeteria]

[It was a remarkably simple thing, tea. Last time it was available, Waver had taken quite a bit of it to store in his trunk (along with a whole lot of alcohol.)]

[Then, glamour failure. If asked for one petty thing Waver would never forgive the administrators for, he would always answer with that.]

[Needless to say, he'd finally dragged himself away from his work long enough to enjoy the shift in provisions. Today in the cafeteria one could find a magus in a black and green suit sitting by himself, looking over near-incomprehensible notes with a cup of tea in his hand.]

[And if one happens upon him in the evening, it's likely he's minding his own business and leaving with a bottle of wine or two, liquid mercury maid trailing a step behind him.]

[dorm floors]

[Only at some ungodly hour did Waver finally give up for the night and leave the laboratory, Volumen Hydragyrum behind him carrying two bottles of wine. If he was willing to stop at all, it was likely he'd reached his physical limit or damn near to it. Sure enough, it had been several days since he slept a full night--or slept, period. As a result Waver was pale and walking just a little unsteadily, but at least he didn't seem ready to drop dead.]

[Drop into a coma when he got to his room, sure. But not drop dead.]

Comments

[fionnuisce]

That would be him. Seemed quite pleasant, really.

[He sighed, taking a considerable drink himself.]

Worst case, that troublesome bastard actively sabotages us. Unlikely, considering he'd have as much to lose as anyone. Barring that, I'd say the worst scenario would be us having to beat whatever information he gets out of him.

[oathshackledbird]

Good. I am glad he took the chance to talk to you. He seems a little shy, but not too bad. Certainly not as shy as Rick, for example.

[Diarmuid shakes his head. He really wishes he knew more how to set their nervous teammate more at ease, but some people are just like that he's coming to understand.

As Waver continues speaking about Sephiroth, Diarmuid's expression darkens.]

I don't think he would try sabotage. As you say, he has as much riding on this as the rest of us. What I do worry about is him keeping information from us or only giving it to those who can help him in some way.

I think it goes without saying that if he needs to have some information beaten out of him, I will be glad to help...

[fionnuisce]

If he does take that particular road, we'll figure something out. For now, let's try not to worry about it so much.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid laughs sadly and takes another drink, before rolling over onto his stomach and burying his head against his arm.]

Yes, I'm borrowing trouble, I know. I am far too good at it.

[fionnuisce]

You worry too much. We should be trying to take things one step at a time--determine whether there is any information to be found before we start beating the hell out of each other for it.

[Setting his own bottle aside for the moment, Waver's hand was brought to rest on Diarmuid's arm.]

For now, just let me handle things.

[oathshackledbird]

There is. Of that I am sure.

[Diarmuid turns his head so that he is looking at Waver.]

Jason wouldn't have been so upset otherwise. There is something and it's big. We just have to find it.

[He smiles at Waver for a moment before his expression falls again.]

I know you will find the answer. I just wish I could do more to help. There are so many guards. What you really need are people who can think scientifically. I wish I could, but I can't... I don't understand any of it and it frustrates me.

[fionnuisce]

It's alright.

[He stretched out next to Diarmuid with a tired smile, head resting on folded arms.]

This is what I'm most suited for. What I need more than anything are people to keep our materials and everything safe. You don't have to help me with the intellectual aspect of matters, just give me one less thing to worry about.

[oathshackledbird]

That is one thing you don't have to worry about. I will die to keep you and the materials safe.

[He gives Waver a stern look.]

Do notice that keeping you safe in an important part of this whole thing.

[fionnuisce]

...I know, Diarmuid. Just try to remember--we'll likely come back, but what we're working with doesn't.

['I'm not saying science is more important than our lives, but that's exactly what I'm saying.']

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid frowns. This is the exact thing he'd talked with his brother about at the meeting when everyone had gotten together to start this thing.]

You can't work if you are dead, Waver. Twenty-four hours is a long time when your time is limited.

[So, it's okay if the rest of us die, but you need to stay alive...idiot.]

[fionnuisce]

...Just be careful and that won't be an issue.

[Dammit, he's not drunk enough for this. Waver would just be reaching for that bottle of wine and taking another drink.]

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid takes another drink of his own before tilting his bottle at Waver.]

Promise to take your own advice? It will make me doing it a lot easier...

[fionnuisce]

I'll do the best that I can. I can't promise any more than that.

[oathshackledbird]

You know I won't ask for more from you than your best.

[He sighs, resting his head on his arm and staring blankly at his mostly empty bottle.]

I'm the only person I expect to do more than his best...

[fionnuisce]

You shouldn't, you know. It's hypocritical of me to say, but you can't expect more than that.

[oathshackledbird]

Blame it on the drink.

[Diarmuid gestures at Waver with his bottle before emptying it, and carefully setting it on the floor.]

Besides, it does me good to hear it. I know it's true. Unfortunately, it is one of those things that I am still trying to beat into me so that my heart and my head are on the same page.

[fionnuisce]

I'm sure you'll get the idea eventually. You're smarter than you give yourself credit for.

[oathshackledbird]

It's not the smarts I'm worried about so much...

[Diarmuid looks at Waver out of the corners of his eyes before rolling to his side so he can tap his chest over his heart.]

It's this troublesome thing. It doesn't listen as well as my brain does.

[He sighs and rises to grab another bottle. Servant constitution be damned. He should be at least tipsy by now instead of completely sober.

Though, being Irish probably has something to do with that too...]

[fionnuisce]

Those do tend to be difficult.

[Waver lapsed into silence, sitting upright and finishing off his own bottle. Years of practice had left him with one hell of a tolerance, but even so he was still human.]

...it's September, isn't it? [He laughed bitterly, though whether that was due to the subject matter or the alcohol was up for debate.] It'll be my birthday in just about a month. Never thought I'd spend my last one in a place like this.

[Bitter drunk? Nah, not at all.]

[oathshackledbird]

Because you're not. Stop talking like that.

[Diarmuid opens his second bottle with more force than necessary and then returns to sit near Waver on the bed.]

What is the date?

[fionnuisce]

Even if we do survive this, my chances of survival past that aren't looking great. Maybe if I expect the worst I'll get a pleasant surprise.

[Shrugging, he opened another one as well.] October third. What of it?

[oathshackledbird]

Have a little faith in me. Do you really think I'm going to let any of them lay a hand on you?

[Diarmuid raises an eyebrow at Waver, before smiling.]

Nothing at all... October is Ruana's next month. I probably shouldn't risk asking for anything from her. I guess that means I will be making it by hand.

[fionnuisce]

Hmph...of course it is. Happy fucking birthday from the leading sociopath. [Sighing, Waver took a drink and leaned lightly on Diarmuid's shoulder.]

Don't do anything special. It's not that important.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid puts an arm around Waver's shoulders, reaching up to stroke his friend's hair.]

You deserve nothing less than the very best horror for your birthday?

[The question is meant as a joke, though it sounds forced even to Diarmuid.]

I'm not just letting your birthday pass uncelebrated. I may not throw a huge party like my brother did for me, but it will be celebrated in some way. Even if it's not important to you, it's important to me because you're important to me.

[fionnuisce]

It's just not that special, that's all. [Even as he complained, Waver leaned into Diarmuid's hand just slightly at the touch.] I don't want anyone drawing attention to it; people always think these things need celebrating for some reason.