[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]

I know. I know, Diarmuid, I was doing the best that I could before I came here. After everything that happened--those that Caster killed, everyone that suffered and died in the fire when it all ended--I can't just let that all have been more casualties in some long miserable list.

Someone has to...I have to stop it. No one else will.

[oathshackledbird]

I'm sorry. I know you will.

[Diarmuid smiles sadly into Waver's hair.]

This is what they call 'preaching to the choir,' right?

[fionnuisce]

Something like that. [Waver sighed in a manner suggesting exhaustion that was more than merely physical.] I don't think I can dismantle the system before the fifth war starts. With any luck no half-wit idiot will summon any more serial murderers and casualties will at least be kept to a minimum.

[oathshackledbird]

What can I do?

[There is worry in Diarmuid's voice and if that isn't obvious, the way his arms tighten around Waver should make it clear. He doesn't miss how tired that sigh is.]

There must be something I can do to make this easier for you...

[fionnuisce]

...it's okay, Diarmuid. I'm perfectly accustomed to working at this pace, so there's hardly any need to worry about me. I'll be fine.

[oathshackledbird]

You are not okay.

[There is an intensity to Diarmuid's words though his voice remains soft.]

You are exhausted in body and soul. Don't think I haven't noticed. I feel too similar to not be able to see it in another. Especially one who I am so close to.

[fionnuisce]

[The fact that Waver seemed entirely willing to concede the point was probably the most damning evidence that Diarmuid was absolutely right.]

...I'll take it easy for now, but I have to get back to work at some point tomorrow. I have no intention of just sitting back and doing nothing while something this important needs to be done.

[oathshackledbird]

I know. I don't expect you to. I just worry. You know how I am.

[Diarmuid sighs, giving Waver a squeeze. That getting that agreement was too easy is not something he misses.]

Is there anything I can do to make this time more restful for you?

[fionnuisce]

...just stay here. That's all I'll ask of you.

[oathshackledbird]

There is nothing that could make me leave right now. Not even a command spell. So, just shut your eyes and relax. I'm not going anywhere.

[fionnuisce]

Sorry--I know I make you worry far more than I should, but I can't see myself being as important as finding a way to make progress on all this. Hopefully you can forgive me for that.

[oathshackledbird]

It's all right. I do think you are that important.

[Diarmuid reaches up to stroke Waver's hair again.]

Since I can't do any of the stuff you are doing, I will just make it my job to make sure you remember just how important you are to me.

[fionnuisce]

...I changed my mind. I'll ask one more thing of you right now; keep doing that.

[the secret's out: waver apparently likes having his hair messed with.]

[oathshackledbird]

[That is hardly a secret, Waver. He figured it out a while ago despite the complaining.]

I wasn't really planning on stopping, so that is an easy one. Besides, I've already noticed it calms you down. I thought maybe it might put you to sleep too.

[Not that he minds talking, but Diarmuid knows Waver really needs the sleep more.]

[fionnuisce]

Do I look like some kind of overgrown housecat to you?

[yes]

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid laughs and pauses for a moment in his stroking of Waver's hair to pat him on the head.]

I'm pretty sure you are a Waver and not a cat.

[He leans in a little closer to whisper.]

For one thing, I think your claws are sharper than any cat's...

[fionnuisce]

Hmph--now you're just being an idiot. What's that even supposed to mean?

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid smiles and returns to stroking Waver's hair.]

What it means, my friend, is that it's not a wise thing to make you angry. When you strike, you strike hard, fast, and deep. Be it with your words or with your actions.

[fionnuisce]

Of course I do. Otherwise no one would ever take me seriously, and can you imagine what kind of disaster that would be?

[oathshackledbird]

You don't have to defend yourself to me, my friend. I understand completely. In fact, I never said it was a bad thing. I feel quite the opposite really.

[fionnuisce]

Good--I'm glad you understand. I can fight my own battles just fine when you're not around.

[oathshackledbird]

Oh, I understand completely. There has never been any doubt about that. It's one of the reasons I am so proud of you. However, that doesn't mean I wouldn't rather be at your side when you are fighting. I hope you can understand that.

[fionnuisce]

I...I know. [Waver's smile was nearly automatic at those words, although a bit awkward.] Still, it's important that I can protect myself. You can't be hovering around me 24/7, after all.

[oathshackledbird]

Oh, I could be, but that might get just a little awkward.

[Diarmuid grins down at Waver.]

Don't you think?

[fionnuisce]

Yes, it would. [FROWN.] Which is why you can't do it.