just this once, everybody lives!

[sageprincess]

Characters: Everyone.
Setting: Anywhere.
Format: Party style.
Summary: Post-Ex Machina catch-all mingle.
Warnings: See individual threads.

[After a long, drawn out battle, the infiltration team returns to the residential portion of the Tower, weary, battered... but victorious. Some catching up is in order.]

Comments

[puppy_lancer]

[He falls silent and nods. He can guess that Diarmuid wants the two of them to come with him and with Waver.]

I'll definitely think about it. But...you know...if we do manage to restore all the worlds...I still have to wrap up things in my own world.

[Because Saber is an idiot who got himself brainwashed, and he hasn't gotten Saber back for Ayaka yet.]

[oathshackledbird]

I know...but what will you do if you only get one choice? And what if Asagi will just go home to die if she can't go with you?

[Because, that is what she sounded like she was planning on doing when Diarmuid talked to her earlier.]

There...is a chance Ayaka might be able to get Saber back another way, right? She's smart and resourceful. On her own...Asagi may just...

[And he stops there, looking away. Diarmuid knows he shouldn't be saying this. It's only going to make things harder.]

Sorry. Not helping...

[puppy_lancer]

I don't want her to die!

[He sighs and considers what his brother is saying.]

Yeah...she might be able to do it...Maybe. She wasn't my Master for nothing.

Even if I can't come with you, can't you take Asagi along?

[oathshackledbird]

I could brother, but I have a feeling she's not going to be very interested in living without you.

[Diarmuid shakes his head. It's obvious to him, at least, that being around his brother has brought to life something in Asagi that has either never been awake before or has been sleeping a very long time. Without the thing that has brought spark to her life again...what good is living?

A soft curse in Ancient Gaelic slips from his mouth.]

I swear brother, even when you are lucky, you are not lucky...

[Love and duty. A promise and a heart one holds most dear. How does one chose?]

[puppy_lancer]

[He nods. Diarmuid might be right in his observations.]

I've never had to choose like this before. Not like you have.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid shakes his head.]

Even experience doesn't make the choice easier. Trust me. If I were in your shoes...I have no idea what I would do. Both paths involve leaving something behind...

[puppy_lancer]

...At least I know you and Waver'll be happy. No matter what I end up choosing.

[Or who he ends up letting down.]

[oathshackledbird]

I...will be happy only if you are happy.

[It's hard for Diarmuid to say that because he wants his brother to come with him with all of his heart and soul. Even if the world his brother comes from is a different version of the Holy Grail War, it is still the Holy Grail War, twisted and hurting all those who are involved. Still, in the end, what he says is the truth no matter how much it hurts. He wants his brother to be happy wherever he goes, even if that isn't Waver's world.]

I wonder what Ayaka would think if you did take Asagi back with you...

[puppy_lancer]

[He thinks about it for a moment, and then starts laughing.]

I think she'd be pretty surprised! And, you know, irritated because she'll have to feed all of us.

[oathshackledbird]

The next question is...how often is Asagi going to have to beat you up for flirting with people?

[Diarmuid grins at his brother, a knowing look in his eyes.]

[puppy_lancer]

[He shudders.]

I hope never. I mean, I promised I would do my best not to try it anymore.

[Though...Ayaka is still mighty cute.]

[oathshackledbird]

Unless you want to constantly be dealing with broken arms, in this case you may wish to do more than just try.

[That line of thought should be setting of major warning bells, Cu Chulainn. Just saying...]

[puppy_lancer]

...Okay, I get it. I'm not quite in the mood for broken arms yet.

[oathshackledbird]

Hey, I'm just trying to look out for you.

[Diarmuid grins at him.]

Isn't that what big brothers do?

[puppy_lancer]

You know, big brothers can also help their little brothers distract people.

[He has a big mischievous grin plastered all over his face.]

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid raises an eyebrow at his brother when he sees that look.]

If we are talking about me distracting Asagi, you realize I can only do that if you two come with us. I might be talented, but last I looked, distracting someone across space and time wasn't something in my skill set...

[puppy_lancer]

Right.

[He mutters, looking solemn as he remembers that matter.]

It's getting more tempting when you put it that way.

[oathshackledbird]

Sometimes the world changes and sometimes we do. Sometimes it's both even, but whatever the circumstance, there is now greater harm in keeping a promise than there is in breaking it.

[Diarmuid looks down and it's clear from what can be seen of his face, he is struggling with this idea even as he speaks of it.]

I don't like that, but it is something I have learned here. After all, if it was somehow arranged, none of you would want me to go back and keep the promise I made to Kayneth at the beginning of the war, would you?

Ayaka is smart and resourceful. You know that as well as I do. Can you trust in that so you can move forward and allow your life to serve the new purpose it's being directed toward?

[For a moment, it seems like he will say something else, but then Diarmuid stops and just gives his brother a gentle hug.]

I am not going to say anymore. I am meaning to help you, but I feel like I am actually pressuring you instead. Just make sure you talk with Asagi about it soon. Like I told Xion, when the time is right, I am sure you will know what you need to do.

[puppy_lancer]

[Cu Chulainn is ready to protest that Ayaka never wronged him the way Kayneth had wronged his brother, but he's cut off by the hug. Instead, he just remains quiet and hugs his brother back. It's several minutes before he speaks again.]

I'll go talk it over with Asagi soon, but can I stay with you for a bit longer? Help you out with the drinks and such?

[oathshackledbird]

Of course you can, silly.

[Diarmuid reaches up with one hand to try to ruffle his brother's hair before stepping away.]

I'm not trying to get rid of you by a long shot. Feel free to hang around as much as you want, but rest a little too, okay? I can handle the food and drinks myself for a little while.

[puppy_lancer]

I'll be okay.

[He reaches to grab a cup of cider.]

Blessing of sleeplessness, remember?

[oathshackledbird]

Yes, but I am your big brother. I get to worry and nag at you. It's in my job description...

[Diarmuid winks at him.]

If not, I need to go edit it in...

[puppy_lancer]

That's true. But isn't it in a little brother's contract to make his older brother facepalm with every other thing he does?

[oathshackledbird]

Well...yes...

[Diarmuid laughs.]

Unless the older brother is smart enough to go and scribble out that part of the younger brother's contract...

[puppy_lancer]

[He pretends to be shocked.]

You wouldn't! I thought we were both honorable knights here!