[Accidental Video-Open to both courts] Peace and Quiet?!? (Backdated to the 15th)

[oathshackledbird]

[What first comes across the lockets is not video, but sound. It's the sound of someone small giggling. Two someones, actually. A moment after the audio starts, video does. The picture jumps around a bit before focusing on a dark-haired form sleeping on his side in bed. Those who know Diarmuid probably will be surprised to see him not only sleeping, but sleeping so soundly that whoever is messing with his locket--most likely a certain pair of mischievous fairies--doesn't wake him....

After the picture focuses on Diarmuid for a few moments, something under the blankets next to him begins to move. It starts at the foot of the bed and wiggles its way up the the head of it. Finally, it emerges out from under the blankets with enough force to throw the top back revealing a few things in the process. Number one is that Diarmuid apparently sleeps without a shirt. Number two is that said Seelie knight obviously was in a pretty big fight not long ago considering the bandages on his arms and around his chest. Number three? That would be what the wiggling thing itself is: a bear cub-sized ball of spotted grey fur and fangs. Said ball of fur starts sniffing aggressively at Diarmuid. So much so that it pushes him off his side and onto his back. Diarmuid wakes with a start and then a wince as his injuries are jolted. The ball of wiggling fur continues sniffing at him, eventually crawling up to sit on the man's chest.

Diarmuid winces again as the creature settles on top of him and then smiles sleepily, giving it a strange look.]

Well...what do we have here? Are you suppose to be my new hunting companion?

[His voice is soft, though that might be because he just woke up. However, it's hoarse too and just a little wheezy. It's obvious talking is still hard for him. Why ever might that be?

He raises a hand to pet the creature, but pauses when some soft giggles catch his attention. Diarmuid rolls his head to the side, messy hair falling into his eyes, and blinks in surprise when he notices the fairies and his locket. A gentle smile soon replaces the surprise on his face and he sighs.]

Really? What does a man need to do to get a little rest here?

[Diarmuid chuckles softly and then reaches up to brush his hair out of his face the best he can.]

Well, I was going to do this a little later, but since my locket is already broadcasting, I might as well get it done now. If anyone has seen my wife, Lady Grainne, could you please let me know? She isn't in the Caer and whatever message she left for me about where she went seems to be missing.

Grainne, if you see this, can you contact me and let me know when you will be back? There are a few things I need to tell you.

Secondly...

[It takes a moment, but Diarmuid frees his hand from petting the creature on his chest and then holds his hand out so that one of the rings on it can be seen.]

Last month I was given a ring that can summon and control fire. Unfortunately, I am not very skilled at controlling it. There are some new scorch marks in the training area that can attest to that. If there is anyone who is willing to risk being set on fire to help me learn to control it better, I would be very grateful for the help.

Finally, since it seems I am now in the possession of a bandersnatch cub, does anyone have advice for raising one? I would hate to make the little guy sick.

[The cub in question makes a soft, happy sound and Diarmuid turns his attention back to petting it.]

I suppose I better think of a name for you. And get you some food. You need to move so I can do that.

[A soft growl comes from the cub. It doesn't look like it wants to give up his perch.]

But you are getting heavy...

[The fairies don't really try to hide their giggles this time and it draws Diarmuid's attention back to them.]

Would you shut that off? And no, I am not going to answer the question if I am wearing pants under these blankets or not!

[More giggles fill the air this time and then the message finally ends.]

Comments

[dated dec 17th] action

[athousandcurses]

[Grainne didn't have much time to wash up and prepare for bed before the faeries became aware of her return to the castle. One scuttles off to do some unknown chore, which Grainne doesn't think much about, while the other informs her that "Lancer" has returned to the castle a few days before, injured.

Awake again but not bothering to change out of the comfortable dress she had chosen to sleep in, Grainne rushes through the halls while lugging a bag of items that ocassionally fell out without her bothering to go back and pick up. Bunches of herbs and at least one vial of liquid lay in her wake.

When she arrives at his door, she doesn't knock for fear of waking him, but opens the door carefully and creeps over to the bed to see if he is still there.

She sighs when she sees the form nestled in the blankets, next to-- something moving?

A cold finger of jealousy and anger pierces her heart before she gets a better look at who, or rather what is wiggling. A... bear cub?

Blinking, Grainne is confused enough to hesitate a moment before sitting next to him.

Her anger at the way he left can wait when she sees the bandages around his chest and arms.]

Diarmuid.

[oathshackledbird]

[As much as Diarmuid has slept since coming back to Caer Glaem, the fact that he is still sleeping so soundly that he doesn't hear Grainne should be a clear indicator of just how exhausted he is. Though, while he doesn't stir at the sound of her voice, the cub does. He looks up at her and then growls softly showing way too many teeth as he does so.

Maybe it is because Diarmuid has been listening for the cub to make sure he doesn't get into trouble that he actually reacts to the growl. He reaches out and puts a hand on the cub's head before opening one eye to see what he is doing.]

Oscar...please don't try to eat the fairies again. I fed you not that long ago.

[He's only half awake and so he doesn't notice Grainne right away. Sorry, Grainne.]

[athousandcurses]

[Oscar?

Grainne freezes and her eyes dash around the room in a panic. If Oscar was here, if the redheaded fenid knight was anywhere around chances are he wasn't far from Diarmuid. That could explain so many things from why Diarmuid left so suddenly to the wounds on his body.

The last thing she really wants is for that one to be around making comments where he thinks she can't hear.]

[athousandcurses]

[But, he doesn't seem to be anywhere around. It's just her, Diarmuid, and the cub...

She gives the cub a crosseyed look, as if she's trying to judge whether or not Diarmuid would have that audacity to name it after his best friend...

Oh, what's the use? She shakes her head and hopes that she misheard him.]

Diarmuid, if you are awake, I would speak with you.

[Said in the softest silk smooth voice.]

[oathshackledbird]

[Oscar growls at her again, but the sound is ignored by Diarmuid who immediately wakes up when he hears her voice. He rolls over toward her, but regrets the sudden move as soon as he does. Pain flashes across his face for a moment before he hides it.]

Grainne! You're back. I've been so...

[His voice cuts off when the cub, seeing that his favorite bed--aka: Diarmuid's chest--is suddenly free, climbs up onto him and settles down. Diarmuid winces again and sighs.]

Oscar...

Audio, because he's a waverhedgehog now

[gordianknots]

Get in touch with a Miss Ariadne. She's had a cub for a while, and can likely give you some advice.

*hugs the cute little Waver hedgie*

[oathshackledbird]

Lady Ariadne?

[He makes a note of the name with a nod.]

You have my thanks. I assume the best way to contact her would be over the lockets?

[gordianknots]

Indeed so. Mention me, if she asks.

[oathshackledbird]

Thank you. I will do that.

How are things going where you are?

[Diarmuid can't help but think the man's voice sounds a little...off somehow, but it might just be because of how tired Diarmuid is...]

[voice because kayneth is a polecat]

[enjoymyatelier]

...Caer Glaem really is going to need a zookeeper at some point, I'm thinking. Or, at the very least, some sort of veterinarian...

[...because really, he's not entirely certain how long he's stuck like this and what do polecats even eat, aside from meat

but he won't actually mention that]

Anyway, Volumen Hydragyrm is impervious to fire, but I'm not exactly in the area at the moment, myself. ...I'd say that it appears I'm lucky on that front, but no. I'm not.

Hedgehogs, polecats, and Volumeows, oh my!

[oathshackledbird]

If we look hard enough, I would not be surprised if we actually already have someone like that here. This place draws in so many different types of people.

[Diarmuid can't help but frown slightly when he hears Kayneth's last statement.]

You are not in the Caer? Did you go hunting with the others then?

[And why does Diarmuid get the impression things might have gone badly?]

[enjoymyatelier]

You know, neither would I... and even if we didn't, I wouldn't be surprised if one showed up sooner or later. They'd certainly start out with more valuable life skills than some of the people who've been brought here, anyway...

[He'll concede that okay, yes, the high school students may have potential, but...]

And... yes. It's really... wonderful, you know, being in the great outdoors.

[...he doesn't want to admit to his Servant things have gone badly, but he just can't keep the bitterness out of his voice...]

[Video]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

Fire-starting isn't an easy skill to master. I can help you focus the Gift if you are willing? [He possesses a small amount of Fire-starting himself.]

[Video]

[oathshackledbird]

I would be honored to have your assistance. I tried to learn magic as a child, but it always escaped me. I have a feeling it may take the skills of more than one person to help me learn to control this.

[He pauses and looks down at the ring.]

Magic is an unpredictable thing, but this magic feels even more so. Wild and untamed. I have no idea where to even start.

video;

[notyetlegend]

[She can't help laughing a little even though he's injured, mostly because of the cub and the end of the transmission. Sorry, Diarmuid, it's the most hilarious thing she's seen all day since she woke.]

M'lady Ariadne has a bandersnatch cub, if you'd like me tae ask her tae contact ye.

video;

[oathshackledbird]

I would appreciate it if you would do that, Merida. Lord El-Melloi II also suggested I contact her.

[Diarmuid can't help but smile at her laughter.]

You seem amused. Wondering about the answer to that question at the end of my post, are you?

video;

[notyetlegend]

I live with her so I'll be sure tae pass on that message when I get home.

[Her cheeks flush before she shakes her head with a bit of amusement.]

Merely wonderin' why faeries would be interested in such things.

dated dec 18 [video]

[athousandcurses]

[She finds this post a while later. One eyebrow arches delicately into the feed.]

Ah, so it's the faeries, is it? Should have known.

And for the answer to that question...

He doesn't.

[With a satisfied smirk, she clicks off.]

[oathshackledbird]

G-Grainne! They didn't need to know that!

[He is only there to answer for a second. After that, a very mortified Diarmuid will be hiding in his room. Good luck getting him out anytime soon...]

[athousandcurses]

Ah, you big oaf, you've only gone and confirmed it for them. It would have been better not to say a word and still leave them wondering if I were teasing or not.

[She answers still, shaking her head at him through the locket.]

[cagedinflesh]

[Berserker has to laugh, watching all that's going on with the bandersnatch.]

I cannot claim to have any experience whatsoever with raising such a creature, perhaps you should ask one of the fairies, or else a local? They might have some better information on the wildlife of the area. Though if he is ever sick, God forbid, I might be able to help some then.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid can't help but grin a little bit when he sees the stranger laugh. Well, he might be embarrassed, but at least he is making people smile and that takes away some of the sting.]

Fortunately, I have had someone suggested to me that is also raising a cub. Hopefully, she will be able to enlighten me some.

[He pauses, giving the man a curious look.]

Are you an animal doctor, then?

[cagedinflesh]

Ah, perfect! You will learn together, shared experience is always a fine way to learn anything. There really is no better way than simply to do.

[He shakes his head.] I am not, merely a regular, human doctor. Still, they are not always entirely different. Animals can be given many of the same antibiotics and such.

text; trips and falls in here a million years late.

[sangilak]

One of the first things my firebending teachers taught me was control.

Don't mess around with fire if you can't control it.

[ SERIOUSLY WHAT IS IT WITH YOU PEOPLE AND MESSING AROUND WITH FIRE, FIRE IS DANGEROUS. ]

text; No worries! It's not like Korra has a trial or anything to be worrying about...

[oathshackledbird]

[Fire is what they gave him, Korra! He can't help it!]

Your teachers were wise people. Care to pass some of that wisdom on to me?

[As in, please PLEASE help him. He might have a strong enough magic resistance to keep from getting hurt by any out of control fire, but neither the castle nor the others in this place are as lucky!]