oathshackledbird: Rest (Rest)
Diarmuid Ua Duibhne ([personal profile] oathshackledbird) wrote in [community profile] towerofanimus2014-03-14 07:17 pm

I would rather Fly than Fall...

Characters: Diarmuid Ua Duibhne ([personal profile] oathshackledbird) and open to anyone who wants to run into him! (Closed prompt at the end for Waver Velvet, [personal profile] fionnuisce. Close prompt now added for Reno, [personal profile] midgarhorizon , and Shion, [personal profile] savedbyasong !)
Setting: Room 2-16, the hallways, Room 2-04, and anywhere on the Dorm Levels/Safe floors of the Tower.
Format: Starting in prose, pick your poison after that!
Summary: Log to cover several things including the 'Tower of Jenova' event, dating from the 14th to the 23rd. (A few backdated prompts will likely be added later and, depending on the Mod Event which lasts from the 23rd to the 27th, prompts for it may be added as well.) After denying for a few days anything is wrong, Diarmuid gives in and goes looking for Waver in hopes that the magus can help cure whatever is making him feel so sick. Cue camp out/sleepover in room 2-04 with possible feverish wanderings from time to time. My apologies in advance to the other occupants of 2-04...
Warnings: Diarmuid's cap for the event is LI2, which means he will be very sick and sporting a rash after a while. While he will have mood dips and periods of negativity throughout the event, he won't be having any of the other, more severe symptoms associated with the higher levels and won't be dying. The negative emotions that are mentioned in the prompts will be less prominent during the early part of the event and get stronger as the event goes on. Specific Warnings for negative emotions, mentions of death/death wishes, things related to the flu/respiratory infections/fever, and potential mild violence and mild mentions of blood. If Diarmuid runs into any of those with higher infection levels, their threads will be marked with that character's level of infection (LI) should the thread progress to anything besides them talking. Threads with characters that have higher infection levels should be assumed to have warnings similar to those in the open mingle including mentions of body modification, violence, blood, and injury.
Note: I would like to request that if your character knows or suspects that Sephiroth is behind the illness going around, that they not say anything about that to Diarmuid at this time. I am an evil mun and am making him wait until after the event at least to find out--if he even does then. But he was just so sure Sephiroth was up to something... Thanks guys!

The Gym, 3-7 in the morning (Closed to Reno and Shion):

This meeting is long overdue. Even though the last time Diarmuid talked to Shion the boy seemed to have made great steps in better controlling his emotions and berserk outbreaks, the meeting is still necessary. So many times people discover things about themselves in this place only to lose that new information because of something happening. Diarmuid wants to make sure the new discoveries Shion has made aren't lost like that. Not when they have done so much to help the boy stabilize himself.

While he waits, Diarmuid pulls out his swords and starts doing a few simple practice strikes with them. It won't be long until Reno and Shion arrive, but it's hard for him to sit still in the gym. Especially considering he's in a pretty good mood. The ring on his finger catches his eye for a moment and his smile widens.

Okay, a really good mood...

Room 2-16, 3-14 in the morning:

As hard as he is trying to deny it, when Diarmuid wakes up feeling like he is on fire and being smothered at the same time, he can't keep doing it any longer. Somehow, someway, he is sick and not just slightly sick. Very sick. The first few days he had ignored it figuring it to be a product of his working himself too hard, the room switches, or even a bit of a recurrence of the exhaustion that had plagued him after helping to recharge the Tower...

Then Grainne had arrived and everything had just gotten worse. Literally. It's almost as if his emotional uncertainty has somehow been feeding whatever is wrong with him. He doesn't blame her at all, but it is very clear he his condition is going downhill. Today is only proof positive of that.

His thoughts drift to cursing Jason because this reminds him too much of the sickness he had heard went around the December before he arrived. Of course, it can't be Jason this time because he is dead, but might someone else have set it off instead? If the response Waver had gotten to his request is any indication, Zo is in charge this month as normal. He would never do something like this. Is Ruana still playing games behind the scenes?

The thought makes him shiver...or that just might be chills from the fever. Diarmuid tries to pull himself from the bed, but ends up collapsing instead, breaking into a fit of shivers hard enough that his vision swims and he realizes he can't just stay here. He needs to find a healer. He needs to find Waver...

To be honest, he is kind of surprised Waver hasn't found him already, but he has kept distant on the bond lately not wanting to drain his partner more than necessary. That and with Grainne arriving, Diarmuid would be lying if he didn't say he is afraid of what he might find there...or not find there as the case may be.

He tries to rise again and finally manages to get to his feet. After swaying for a moment, he stumbles to the door and into the hallway. Here's hoping Waver is actually in his room and not at the Laboratory for once. Diarmuid's not so sure he will make it that far...

Dorm hallways, 2nd Floor, 3-14 in the morning:

Everything is spinning and it's starting to make Diarmuid sick to his stomach. He's never felt this bad before, not even when he was alive. Sickness, just had avoided him. Maybe he had been lucky or maybe his father had been watching out for him. In ether event, he's not used to feeling like this. His arms wrap around his waist and he takes a deep breath trying to force himself to walk in a straight line.

It's not going so well. Hopefully, he won't run into anyone too hard...

Room 2-04, anytime on 3-14 to 3-23:


If he had more energy or will Diarmuid would probably be tossing and turning, but as it is he is just laying in Waver's bed feeling guilty. They keep trying to heal him and while it seems like it works for a while, he always gets worse again. He supposes he should be glad he's not hallucinating. That had been part of Jason's virus, hadn't it? Or...maybe he is and he just doesn't realize it. Is his brain trying to tell him just how much of a burden he is on everyone? Is that why the healing only ever holds for a while?

Dorm hallways/Safe Tower floors anytime on 3-14 to 3-23:


He slips away sometimes when they aren't watching close enough or think he's asleep. Diarmuid can't help it. As tired as he is, his mind just tells him to run and get away from them so that he's not bothering them anymore. It doesn't help that the urge grows stronger as time passes. How long until they stop leaving him alone? How long until he runs out of chances to free them from the burden he's creating?

Funny, though, he can't ever bring himself to go onto any of the really dangerous floors. That would take care of things pretty quickly, wouldn't it? So, why can't he?

Room 2-04, 3-23 Kill Switch Activation (Closed to Waver):

Perhaps the hallucinations have finally found him after all, because at the moment it feels like something is strangling him...but not strangling him in the normal manner. Instead, its like someone has wrapped their hands around his very core, pulling and crushing it. Trying to rip it away from him. The feeling grows stronger, causing a small frightened sound to slip from his lips. He's not sure what he should do. Should he pull away from Waver to make sure this doesn't affect him too? Should he reach out for him and use the strength his knows his partner will provide to help fight whatever this is?

Should he let go and just stop being a burden?

Diarmuid's exhausted mind is still pondering all this when a the pull suddenly becomes a sharp, searing yank. This time he cannot help but cry out both in pain and fear. As he does, his heart and brain finally slam into agreement. No more dancing around a decision he made long ago. No more waiting for him to consciously realize what he has already unconsciously figured out. He opens the bond and reaches out for Waver just as hard and as desperately as he can...

Help me! Please... I don't want to leave you!

athousandcurses: (You will read my thoughts...)

[personal profile] athousandcurses 2014-03-15 06:09 am (UTC)(link)
[Grainne doesn't waste a minute after making sure he's asleep. The elevator takes such a long time she doesn't want to leave him alone too long. The first place she goes to isn't the cafeteria, but the greenhouse.

She came across it when exploring and noted several plants that were poisonous but could otherwise be made into medicine. On this trip, it only takes a few moments to pick enough to make something for him, and she makes sure each sample is good enough before adding it to her pockets.

After that, she heads to the cafeteria, and wrinkles her nose at the choices. None of the meals offered seems right for somebody to eat while sick, so she rolls up her sleeves and heads into the kitchen itself.

...an hour and a very messy kitchen later, she comes back out with a bowl that, unfortunately, could be called chicken soup. At least she hadn't burned it...

Setting her pilfered tray up, she places a carefully selected amount of the herbs into a cup of steaming water, waiting for it to infuse. It would likely be cold by the time she got there, but she tries adding a little bit of the mint flavoring she found in the kitchen to make it better.

Finally, she heads to the elevator with the tray.

When she finally, finally does return to her room, the herbal infusion is mildly warm at best and the chicken soup only slightly better, since she had a large bowl over it. Setting it on her bed, she moves to sit next to him and check his condition.]

Diarmuid? I brought food...
Edited 2014-03-15 08:42 (UTC)
athousandcurses: (Hopeful Happy)

[personal profile] athousandcurses 2014-03-15 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[Grainne's face flushes, already telling what the answer will be.]

I'm afraid not... but I didn't burn it this time. Can you sit up?

[Her voice quivers slightly, though she's not trying to hide it; he knows he may be too sick to really notice. His expression was so familiar... her heart swelled in pain.

This... this is such a bad idea. She should have taken him back to his own room and left him in the care of his loved ones. Everything she's done since coming here has been a bad idea, but what can she do now?]

Do you need help eating?
athousandcurses: (Sad)

[personal profile] athousandcurses 2014-03-16 12:10 am (UTC)(link)
How did you do that?

[Shaking her head, Grainne removes the extra blanket and sets the pouch aside.

She tries to help lift him, but with her strength gone all she can do is tug at him until she gets him leaning against the wall.

It isn't until she brings the tray over and sets it in his lap that she pauses and sighs. He's going to need feeding, she just knows it.]

You are three times the trouble the children were, combined... I think you should have the drink first, it's going to be bitter.
athousandcurses: (You will read my thoughts...)

[personal profile] athousandcurses 2014-03-16 01:30 am (UTC)(link)
[Grainne huffs, taking the cup back and placing it on the floor and out of reach.]

And I tried putting mint in it for you, too. You're lucky I practiced medicines so much or it would have been worse.

[She holds out the bowl for him, wishing she had brought napkins but had forgotten in her rush.]

Just... don't complain about the soup.
athousandcurses: (At peace)

[personal profile] athousandcurses 2014-03-16 04:44 am (UTC)(link)
I didn't find any.

[Grainne sits and watches him for a moment before actually responding to the rest. It makes her uncomfortable, especially since she knows he's not in any real condition to talk about this.]

I found you wandering the hall almost delirious and refusing to go back to your room. What was I supposed to do? Just leave you there?

[The other reasons were answers she promised herself he didn't need to know.

Her expression softens slightly.]

You still think in all or nothing terms, don't you? How do you think I'd feel if I left the father of my children to wander around and fall prey to the dangers in this place?
athousandcurses: (Sad)

[personal profile] athousandcurses 2014-03-16 07:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[Grainne makes no move to stop him, instead picking up the pouch of flowers in her hands and holding it in her lap.]

If you want to leave I will not stop you, but stop being a fool.

[Anger at him colored her tone with a bare hint, fighting the urge to retort.]

Do you really want to talk about this now? It is not I that severed the bond between us first, it is you. I have only made it official, and absolved you of all responsibility toward me. There is no place for me and I will not come between you and another... Master.
athousandcurses: (Sad)

[personal profile] athousandcurses 2014-03-17 12:07 am (UTC)(link)
[Grainne flinches, but hides it by standing and gathering cup and bowl together to set on the tray.]

I know. I do not blame you for moving on, and I am not angry with you for that. In fact... I am glad you have someone that you love. If he makes you happy-- You... you need to understand--

[She cuts off, freezing for a moment before grabbing up the tray and moving to the door with it, and set it outside. It's more to give her time to think carefully on what she says. Their last conversation had gone so very well, after all...]

Neither of us are the same people we knew, you are right about that. You need to understand what I did was necessary.

[Growing quiet, she does not move from in front of the door.]

As for why I became a servant... that is my own business.
athousandcurses: (Sad)

[personal profile] athousandcurses 2014-03-17 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
[Grainne gives him an indescribable look, walking back over to the bed to put him back down.]

You were betrayed?

[Taking the extra blanket, she wraps it around his shoulders, seemingly unconcerned about what his wish meant. Almost as if she had expected something like that...]

That master did not deserve you. Nor did Fionn... may he be cursed for his foolishness, and me as well.

[She presses on his shoulders, urging him to lay back against the pillow.]

My wish is a selfish one, as were all my wishes in life.
athousandcurses: (Shy)

[personal profile] athousandcurses 2014-03-17 02:53 am (UTC)(link)
But it did help... so whatever it is, it is draining your energy at a great rate, but you are not going to die. I won't allow it.

[Grainne can't help herself here, for she presses her hand against his cheek, trying to dispel his worry.]

Why don't I tell you a story?
athousandcurses: (Surprise)

[personal profile] athousandcurses 2014-03-17 04:26 am (UTC)(link)
I'll tell you one that happened to me in the little cottage I lived in when I was old.

[Grainne sits down on the floor next to him, resting her head against the wall behind her, but then jerks upright when something he said got through to her.]

What do you mean, you'll come back but it'll take longer? Why do you want to die?
athousandcurses: (Not Amused)

[personal profile] athousandcurses 2014-03-17 05:43 am (UTC)(link)
[Slowly, Grainne sits back, letting that last strange tidbit in.]

We... we're immortal here?

[Not even given the oblivion death? It makes Grainne extremely nervous, for some reason. Why she hadn't committed herself to die again the second she got here and learned what she had escapes her at the moment, but knowing now it would have been futile...]

Why would they put anyone through that... to suffer death over and over?
athousandcurses: (In the Tree)

[personal profile] athousandcurses 2014-03-18 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
[A soft sigh is the only thing audible for a moment, but a hand touches his arm briefly before finding his hand and squeezing it a second before she retreats.

This isn't what she wished for...]

The story is something that happened when I was living in a little cottage by the sea. It was a fine place, with sheep and cattle, and every spring wildflowers bloomed on the meadow. Every winter there would be terrible weather. It was a bad winter that it happened, and such fierce winds came from the ocean I thought the little cottage would be blown away.

One night, and it was very late at night, the weather was even worse than usual. I hadn't gone to sleep yet. There came a loud crash at the door... and then a soft little knock. Well, I was astonished that there was someone out in that gale, so I opened the door and in popped this tiny white lamb.

[She sits up to check if Diarmuid is asleep yet, pausing in her story just in case.]
athousandcurses: (You will read my thoughts...)

[personal profile] athousandcurses 2014-03-18 04:59 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, because it wasn't. I closed the door and the poor thing shook all the water out, and said to me, "I am a poor little lamb stuck in the most terrible of storms! Can I sit by your fire for the night?"

[She settles back down, pulling her knees to her chest.]

Of course, I let the lamb sit by the fire... and all was well until the lamb turned to me and asked if I had anything he could eat. I said yes, of course, and gave him a whole bag of grain... for it was the only thing I had to give a lamb.

[Closing her eyes, she tries to imagine the lamb sitting by the fire, trying to give the story life.]

And then the lamb slept. He was gone when I woke up, but with the empty bag and his muddy feet leaving a spot, I knew it hadn't been a dream.

The next night, the winds came up again and the rain was so fierce, I thought it would break the roof in! I had to set a pot underneath a leak, and said to my husband that we should fix it in the morning, lest the winds really did take the roof.

And then, when all had grown still, there came another crash and a knock, knock, knock at the door. And who do you think it was?

[Her voice steadily gets softer, the deeper into the story she went. Of course the whole thing is a complete fiction.]

The lamb came back, and it trotted over to the fire and asked if it could rest a while, just like the night before. I gave him a bag of grain and bade him rest the night. By the next morning, he was gone again, but so was the leak in the roof. I asked the cranky old man if he fixed it while I slept, but he said it must have been that lamb...

That night, the weather was even worse than before, and I was asleep dreaming troubled dreams when once again, that crash sounded at the door. It scared me awake, but when I went to open the door, there was nothing there but a battered old chest...

[She's almost whispering now, arms wrapped around her knees and almost ready to fall asleep herself. It's a strange feeling, having the need for sleep again.]

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