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towerofanimus2014-04-20 02:06 am
chevalier_mal_fet) wrote in towerofanimus2014-04-20 02:06 am
Berserker . The Masterless Servant
Sir Lancelot's final memories of the Tower as he knew it last are all Darkness and Fire. But then, many of his own memories of Life and the War both carry a similar distorted taint. He recalls a Madness not his own, and a merciful Death. He recalls a brief respite-- a few lost days in his Master's company before Death took him once again. Suddenly, in that moment, as one struck by an arrow from afar. Or by some poison.
On his second rising, even the air of the place seemed changed, his own senses seeming to have lost their compass for a the space of a breath. Only that little time needed pass before he missed his Master-- and indeed, their bond is broken.
Berserker has wandered since as Mist and Shadow, and sometimes as Himself unseen. Content, for the time being, to watch as events play out before him. Without Kariya Matou, he feels less substantial, and less the more human Self that he had shared with his Master in this Place. Strange and Fae, he goes where his Will takes him.
...
The Graveyard - Here, he lingers by his Master's grave. He has avoided this Place, as it has nothing to show him that he does not already know to be true. Still, the sight of Kariya's grave marker is a painful one. A reminder that in the end, he failed his Master-- in every way a Servant can.
The Meadow - This was his Master's favorite among the Tower floors, and indeed it was here they met again after having been taken from the War. Here he is sometimes unseen, but today he stands beneath the false Sun, his back to the entrance, unguarded.
The Cathedral - Once a Holy Knight with a Blessed Weapon, Sir Lancelot does not enter the Sanctuary, but wavers just within the threshold-- as if in debate with himself over whether to enter or no.
Room 1-10 & Environs - Those he shares rooms with may find him sat on the edge of his bed or checking the contents of his Trunk. He may also be encountered in the dormitory hallways nearby.
On his second rising, even the air of the place seemed changed, his own senses seeming to have lost their compass for a the space of a breath. Only that little time needed pass before he missed his Master-- and indeed, their bond is broken.
Berserker has wandered since as Mist and Shadow, and sometimes as Himself unseen. Content, for the time being, to watch as events play out before him. Without Kariya Matou, he feels less substantial, and less the more human Self that he had shared with his Master in this Place. Strange and Fae, he goes where his Will takes him.
...
The Graveyard - Here, he lingers by his Master's grave. He has avoided this Place, as it has nothing to show him that he does not already know to be true. Still, the sight of Kariya's grave marker is a painful one. A reminder that in the end, he failed his Master-- in every way a Servant can.
The Meadow - This was his Master's favorite among the Tower floors, and indeed it was here they met again after having been taken from the War. Here he is sometimes unseen, but today he stands beneath the false Sun, his back to the entrance, unguarded.
The Cathedral - Once a Holy Knight with a Blessed Weapon, Sir Lancelot does not enter the Sanctuary, but wavers just within the threshold-- as if in debate with himself over whether to enter or no.
Room 1-10 & Environs - Those he shares rooms with may find him sat on the edge of his bed or checking the contents of his Trunk. He may also be encountered in the dormitory hallways nearby.
Are you okay with Diarmuid telling him about what Sephiroth did or do I need to avoid names?
First of all, this happened before you died those two times, but I want to make sure you did not miss learning of it with everything going on. Do you know that Jason is dead now and Ruana is taking care of resurrections? If things seemed different when you awoke from those deaths, that is why. She is not so...skilled as Jason was at her task.
[A frown creases his face. Diarmuid is still not happy with how that went down, but there is nothing he can do about it now and there are more important things to worry about.]
After that, I can tell you who was the cause of the 'illness' that gripped us. His actions had very extreme consequences for those of us in the Tower.
[And had actually lead to the permanent death of one Diarmuid called friend...]
no subject
Ah, this I did feel, but did not know the cause-- for I was Mad, if you recall. I am First among all my class in that I keep some part of my Mind, but even that part would remain unaware of such a thing unless my Master had brought it to my attention. Which he did not.
You may say as you will, for you have my confidence.
o7
After that, the next most important thing is, as I mentioned, the strange illness that ran through the Tower and caused so many deaths. It was no Administrator experiment, but the selfish act of one of the people in the Tower. He was your roommate before everyone moved, though I do not know if you still share a room with him now.
[Diarmuid's eyes narrow and then spark with anger that is quickly repressed. It's obvious he is going to great effort to keep his emotions in check.]
Sephiroth. I don't know the details of how he did it, but I do know the results well enough. Many of us spent several weeks in agony and then died because of him. Not only that, Zo was injured stopping him and a group of people were sent outside of the Tower. One...never returned. I don't know if you ever met him, but a gentle soul named Patrick Dawn died while outside. There will be no reviving for him. Ever.
<3
Aye, I had aided Patrick Dawn briefly-- and only the once. This Place has held many Gentle Souls, I am sure. My own Soul is not so Gentle, but that did not keep it from torment- thought I did survive, as such is the lot of a Servant.
His Death was-- unfortunate indeed.
As for Sephiroth, I do not share quarters with him any longer. Though I will say that we have had speech together since my Return.
I confess, Diarmuid ua Duibhne, that I have longed for Freedom as much, and could easily bring as much Death to this Place as that one has done.
Now that my Master is gone from me, I long to do so more than Before. My hands should not remain Idle in Despair. [The Words are an appeal, not a Warning-- for Diarmuid already knows of his Power.]
*hugs* FYI: Final AC is up. Be sure to check in! Activity is anything from the last 2 months.
[Diarmuid realizes there is a darkness in Lancelot now--his heart shrouded by his class--but he will never accept that the man is on the same level as one such as Sephiroth. Never.]
Worry not, though, about idle hands. I do not think any of ours will be so for long. The end draws near quickly and I do not think the Administrators will remain quiet any more than we will. There is much to be done to ensure our success. However, if that is not enough for you...
[A grin lights up Diarmuid's face.]
...bring your idle hands to me. We have talked of dueling in the past and I will always be free should you need a distraction.
no subject
His smile is a slight and shadowy thing, but it's an honest answer to Diarmuid's expression.]
I will Serve where I may-- and I will treat with you when and where we may. It is true we have both Wished this. It will be my pleasure, Diarmuid ua Duibhine.
I would ask you, does Arthur-- Saber yet live?
no subject
[Diarmuid smiles and there is honest relief in the look. It would have been a great blow to those left here if they had lost her so close to the end.]
She has fought so hard and has so many people here who care for her. It is like nothing can keep her away until her task is finished. I cannot say this surprises me, though. She is nothing if not devoted to the causes she champions. She will be glad to know you have returned.
no subject
Still, now at the end of all things, in this place, I suppose the Worst of her Ways is also the least, and cannot much Matter-- perhaps it might Serve us all well.
I should seek Her out.
[An expression passes over his face, swift as a shadow. This is the most he has ever spoken to the Lancer, or to anyone save his Master, regarding Arthur.]
Did she tell you, Diarmuid ua Duibhne, that in Life she was my King? I know your Legend, but I do not know what study you have made of Mine.
no subject
It is a great flaw that she and I share. We both far too eager to sacrifice ourselves for others and we forget that in doing so, we hurt those closest to us. I know I have made steps in changing that and I believe she has as well. At least, she has yelled at me when I have slipped up on that enough times...
[And the last time he talked to her she seemed happier and more focused. That has to mean something.]
She has not told me for as you may well know, she does not like to speak much on her past, but I know your legends and how they intersect well enough. Indeed, your focus on her during the war made much more sense when I learned who you were.
[He pauses a moment, falling into thought, before speaking again.]
I often say I don't focus on people's pasts and that is the truth. I recognize their deeds, but I also know that while the past may have brought us to this point, it is who we are now that makes our future. However, that is not so easy for some...not when there are still things to be sought.
[Not all are lucky enough to die without regrets like Diarmuid did. This he knows well...]
Am I right?
no subject
He speaks softly, and in a musing tone.]
Aye, you are Right enough, Diarmuid ua Duibhne.
There is much that remains between us, Arthur and I-- and much that remains for myself alone.
The Past is said to be another Country, but it is a Kingdom to which we both are tied by Grief. Someday, perhaps, I shall cross its Borderlands, but I cannot do so without Her Leave.
This Arthur in this Place cannot give me what I desire, but she is my King in some mean, all the same. Like that of Master and Servant, ours is a Bond unbreakable by all things save the Judgment of Death.
[Seeming to come to himself, he gives Diarmuid a dark, narrow smile.]
But for the nonce, I will be content to have her as my War Leader-- once more. Arthur's great Gift was never for Strategy-- for that she looked to me or to her Mage. Her true Strength lay in her Words and Ways-- which were those of a King of Men. Yes, they Followed her gladly, even unto the Last.
You would have done the Same, had you been among the ranks of her Knights, Diarmuid ua Duibhne. I am sure of it.
no subject
[It is something Diarmuid can understand. Even if their worlds are similar, they are not the same. If Fionn had showed up here by some strange twist of fate, Diarmuid likely would have felt the same way should he have decided to again seek the man's forgiveness for what had happened. Somehow...it would not be the same as gaining it from the man who left him specifically to die. It is the same as if a version of Kayneth had ever arrived. Diarmuid would not have been able to stand back and let his friends take their anger out on that Kayneth when he was not the man who betrayed him that night.]
If so, I hope you are able to find what you seek from her. I hope the same for Kariya--that somehow what you both learned and experienced here will allow you to find your ways to victory. You deserve it.
[At the question, Diarmuid nods.]
You are correct. Had I had the chance to stand with her knights back then, I would have followed her anywhere. Now, I have another who directs me and it's for him that I fight, but since he and she fight for the same cause, I am just as glad to be able to fight at her side now as I would have been to follow her lead back then.
no subject
Yes, by your Words and Deeds, you would have been more Fit to be a Brother of mine in Arms than some who bore the title.
As for Arthur, I can only say Perhaps-- though I mean also that she will not, and that due to the Nature of this Place, what I most desire from Her would no doubt be perverted in some way.
[For what he wants most in his Madness is Arthur's Death at his hand-- so the reverse is True in his Sanity. Arthur's Judgement, righteous Anger, and Punishment are the Absolution he Desires.
But there is no use to Speak of it now.]
But I do I Pray you are right, and that my Master will find his Strength at Last-- though I confess I had rather be his Arm than let him go on Alone, no matter his Wisdom or Skill. He has been more Deserving of Fate than I.
no subject
You do me a great honor with your words. I don't know if what you say is true, but I would do my very best to bring honor to my fellows and my king.
But you are right, I did not think of that. This place takes even the purest of wishes and twists them into nightmares. Should you look for what you need here, it may backfire for both you and her...
[He frowns. It is just another one of the many not right things in this place. It is still amazing to Diarmuid that as much positive has come out of this place for him as it has.]
We would all rather be with those we care about as opposed to separated from them and just hoping things will go well. However, even when separated, you know that he isn't without you. He will never forget the time you had here. In that way, you will always be the arm around his shoulder giving him the strength he needs when he does not have it himself.