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

[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!

[oathshackledbird]

We are! And as such, I am duty bound to do whatever is necessary to protect my brother knight. I would say that is certainly one way to do it.

[Is he bending the rules a little? Maybe. Blame Waver's influence.]

[puppy_lancer]

[He snickers.]

I get to protect you too, you know. Maybe I should put the fact that we need to take turns protecting each other in the contract...right where you erased the part where I got to make you facepalm.

[oathshackledbird]

Hmm...

[Diarmuid rubs at his chin as if he is giving this a lot more thought than he really needs to and then nods.]

I think I can agree with that when you put it that way.

[puppy_lancer]

Perfect!

[And now's Lancer's chance to look like he's thinking about things more than he needs to.]

Should I also add something about how you have to sing to me at the end of every week?

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid makes a startled sound.]

Wait a minute! When did that becomes part of the deal?

[puppy_lancer]

Hey, you did say we could erase and change things. Doesn't that mean I can put in whatever I want now?

[oathshackledbird]

Yes, but...

[Diarmuid sighs and shakes his head. This is why he doesn't bend rules. All too often it comes back to get him in the end.]

At this rate, we are going to have the whole thing rewritten...

[puppy_lancer]

Then you should be glad it was never written in the first place. We never needed an actual contract to be brothers...even though Riki did give us a certificate.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid laughs.]

That is true. I will always be honored to have you as my brother. I don't need any paper to tell me that we are either.

[He starts to say something else and then notices Asagi has returned to the floor and gives his brother a nudge.]

And as your brother I wish you a good deal of luck. There's Asagi. Go get her.

[puppy_lancer]

[He's reluctant to leave for a moment, but then he nods.]

Thanks, Bro. I'll be going.

[And then he leaves to go towards Asagi.]