There is no way THAT fit in your trunk...

[oathshackledbird]

Characters: Diarmuid Ua Duibhne (oathshackledbird ) and you!
Setting: Room 4-16 (Closed prompt for Cu Chulainn,puppy_lancer ) on the 25th, and anywhere in the Tower for the rest of the week.
Format:: Starting in prose, pick whatever you want after!
Summary: Cu Chulainn asked Zo for a gift for Diarmuid and was granted it. Now, he gets to give an old friend to his brother and maybe it will help mend the gap that has been between them ever since the fight with Sephiorth. Afterward, Diarmuid spends the week focusing on teaching Mac an Chuill the floors and dangers of the Tower.
Warnings: None at the moment, will update if needed!
Note: While Diarmuid will be focusing on training and getting the hound accustomed to being in the Tower, there will be plenty of time to sparring, monster hunting, and talking for anyone who runs into him.

Room 4-16, Nov 25th (Closed to Cu Chulainn):

Diarmuid frowns as he makes his way back to his room after a visit to the carnival. His brother had asked him to come and while they were slowly starting to act a little more normal around each other, Diarmuid is still uneasy. The loud noises coming from the room as he approaches don't help him feel any better about this meeting.

He pauses at the door to the room, before finally opening it only to see his brother fighting with a very large...dog?

His eyes grow wide as the dog, sensing his owner, wiggles away from Cu Chulainn and runs full speed at him. Before Diarmuid even has time to think about it, a sharp command in Ancient Gaelic bursts from his mouth. The dog comes to a stop so quickly he skids, dropping to sit near Diarmuid's feet. This causes Diarmuid to smile and he bends down to pat the dog on the head, muttering several soft words of praise before standing again and looking toward his brother.

"Brother? What is Mac an Chuill doing here?"


All over the Tower, Nov 25th to Nov 30th (Open):

Irish Wolfhounds have hunted and worked alongside their humans for a very long time. Mac an Chuill is an ancestor of those dogs, his line having done those things alongside Diarmuid's family for a very long time. In fact, the hound's sire had been one of the things Diarmuid reclaimed when he and Grainne were finally able to stop running and settle down. He had raised Mac an Chuill from a puppy and trained the dog as well.

However brave and loyal the hound is, though, the things he is facing in the Tower are much different than the things he faced in the woods of Ireland. While Diarmuid never held it against the hound for fleeing when the boar charged him--after all a curse was in play then--fleeing from a monster here in the Tower would likely get one or both of them killed.

That is why Diarmuid will be spending most of this week with the hound at his side, familiarizing him to the Tower and its many dangers. It will not be unusual to see him training the dog by fighting monsters, or showing him around the different floors. Always, the hound will be near him even though he is unleashed. Irish Wolfhounds are known for their loyalty and intelligence. Mac an Chuill is no exception and that is very clear in his eyes and manner. He is taking this just as seriously as Diarmuid is.

At the beginning of the week, Diarmuid will be around all floors, but after the 29th, he suddenly starts avoiding floors where powers are nullified. He will also seem more tense and uneasy than usual. Perhaps a spar or two will help work out that nervous energy? Or maybe a conversation will help get his mind off everything that has been going on?

Comments

[puppy_lancer]

[He takes a moment to look rather surprised, then he bursts into laughter.]

Well, when I wasn't with Ferdiad, I was much more experienced with being the big bro. Can't you tell from this face?

[He claps Diarmuid on the back.]

Careful from now on. If you need me to keep on forgiving you, I'll become the big brother and boss you around.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid gives his brother's face a close examination, though from the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, it's obvious he's not serious.]

Hmm...if you get to be the big brother more often, does that mean you have to keep yourself out of trouble? Because, lets face it. You could do with being in less trouble sometimes...

[Actually, a lot of the time, but Diarmuid isn't going to tease him too much after how much his brother has done for him today.]

[puppy_lancer]

...I'd have to, wouldn't I. Be a good example for you.

[He gives an exaggerated sigh.]

But the good thing is that if I do get into trouble, I make you tag along, so we get into trouble together!

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid mock frowns at his brother.]

I don't think that is how it works. Isn't the big brother suppose to keep the little brother out of trouble and not the other way around?

[puppy_lancer]

Hey, I'll keep you out of trouble. Trouble that you stumble into by yourself.

[oathshackledbird]

So you are saying that any trouble I might get into myself is less than any trouble you might get me into?

[Diarmuid laughs.]

I'm not sure if I should believe that or not, brother.

[puppy_lancer]

...Now that I think about it, me neither. We're both pretty good at seeking out trouble, aren't we?

[oathshackledbird]

Or having it find us.

[Diarmuid shakes his head.]

I can't even blame this place. It's not like it started here. There is just more opportunity for things to go wrong here.

[puppy_lancer]

You do have E rank luck.

Mine's D, though. So I guess I have a smaller chance to have trouble just pounce on me.

[oathshackledbird]

Which, in the end, makes us about equal.

[Diarmuid raises an eyebrow at his brother.]

Since you seem to go looking for trouble a lot more often than I do.

[puppy_lancer]

[He laughs sheepishly.]

Yeah, I guess I do. I don't really...value my good luck sometimes.

[His expression falls, as if he just thought of something sobering.]

[oathshackledbird]

[That sudden change of expression makes Diarmuid frown.]

What is it, brother? Did you remember something?

[puppy_lancer]

...I never apologized, did I? For the last time I got you into trouble.

...For the last time I got you killed.

Sorry. I'm very sorry for that, Brother.

[oathshackledbird]

Don't be.

[Diarmuid shakes his head, at the same time reaching out to put a hand on his brother's shoulder. The apology is appreciated because there is part of Diarmuid that is upset about what had happened--that wonders if things would have gone better if he had not been hurt. However, in the end, it had been he who had let himself be distracted and he who had decided to step between Sephiroth and Waver. None of that had been his brother's fault.]

What's done is done. Laying blame will only keep us from moving forward.

[puppy_lancer]

[He puts his arms around Diarmuid in another hug.]

Yeah, it's all over...

[At his feet, Mac an Chuill barks again.]

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid returns his brother's hug, hand rubbing at Cu Chulainn's back. He motions toward Mac an Chuill to quiet him before speaking.]

Do you want to talk more about it, brother? I don't want this to fester like before...

[puppy_lancer]

Nah, I'm fine. Just knowing that you don't blame me is enough.

[He grins and looks over at Mac An Chuill.]

Why don't we go take a run with Mac An Chuill now? We need sometime to hang out together again.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid gives his brother an unsure look, but then nods.]

If you are sure, that sounds like a wonderful idea to me.

[Mac an Chuill barks excitedly.]

It sounds like he approves as well. I think that settles it.

I think this is good for a thread end?

[puppy_lancer]

[He scrambles toward the door and holds it open.]

After you, Bro. And after you, Mac an Chuill.

Sounds good!

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid bows to Cu Chulainn, a grin on his face and then signals for Mac an Chuill to go out into the hall. Once the dog has, he follows him.]

Let's have some fun, brother.