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

Entry tags:

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

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I doubt you've been much of anything from the look of those bandages.

[Her voice is even and calm, a sure indicator she's keeping her personal feelings back in favor of a wounded patient. In this case, him.

She pulls out a wooden container that smells foul before she's even opened it, and gives him a look.]

Do you know how worried I have been all this time? Fourteen days I have not seen nor heard of you.

[As she reaches out for him, she notices the bandersnatch cub again and pulls her hands back.]

You'd best move him so I may tend those wounds of yours.

[Diarmuid bows his head slightly, taking her scolding without fighting it.]

It's not enough, but I am sorry. Things...got a little crazy. I didn't realize how long I would be gone, though, I should scold you in return for leaving here without your locket. I have been back several days now and unable to contact you. Where did you go?

[It is good that she pulls her hands back because Oscar actually snaps at her. It's obvious that he isn't trying to hurt her maliciously. He is trying to protect his injured 'daddy.']

Oscar, don't. It's okay. She isn't going to hurt me.

[He puts a hand on the cub's head and then turns to Grainne.]

There are some honey treats over on the dresser. Will you bring them here, Beloved?

I have been out in the woods, looking for you, fearing you had lost your locket and lay somewhere in the snow injured and unable to come home.

[Grainne still kept her calm and even voice as she gets up and does as he asks, bringing several of the treats over to him.]

It seems that I am partially right. Why are you not healed yet? Are not Servants supposed to heal quickly and without pain?

They are, but most Servants have a connection to a Master to aid with that. Also, it was necessary for me to direct my energy elsewhere for a while. Give me a few more days and I should be getting close to back to normal.

[He's not going to talk about how his lungs were all but torn out and the very severity of the wound is part of what is slowing his healing.]

I am very proud of you for going out to look for me though. Thank you, Beloved. I know I am always safe in your hands.

[Diarmuid takes the treats from her and holds one in front of Oscar's nose. When he has the cub's attention, he uses the treat to draw Oscar off his chest. When he gives the cub the treat, he carries it over to the other side of the bed to eat it. Diarmuid smiles and sighs in relief to have the extra weight off him.]

He really likes honey...

Why do you not take a Master then, Diarmuid?

[As the cub retreats with its ill-gained goods, Grainne starts working, removing the bandages as carefully as she could. It's telling to the extent of her upset she's only addressing him by name.

Soft gasps came from her when she saw how bad the wounds are on him, and went pale.

The salve she uses is indeed pungent, but the healing effects couldn't be ignored as she applied some here and there to half healed places.

Silently, tears fell as she works.]

The White Hart was slain days ago. This was not done by a beast.

[Why doesn't he take a Master? Diarmuid would be lying if he said that he hadn't thought about how much easier the fight would have been if he could have drawn on extra power from a Master. However, just as often as that through arises, so too does the memory of the High-Queen telling him that he needs to cherish his freedom and not let anyone take it from him.]

Then I would not be free...

[His words are soft, tired. With her working on his injuries, Diarmuid can't help but let himself be lulled back toward sleep a little. The smell of the salve might be bad, but at the same time it is familiar and calming in a way. He is about ready to drift off when he realizes that she is crying and that snaps him wide awake again.]

No...this was done by no beast, but by magic...

[Grainne pauses for a brief moment, holding the small container in one hand so that her knuckles turned white.]

Was it truly so urgent to leave at night without even telling me goodbye? I was not far away...

[She hasn't cracked yet, for as upset as her words should be, they're nothing but a whisper.

Distracting herself, she pushes him over a little more, trying to gain better access to his back and the terrible marks there.

In truth she doesn't want him to see her tears multiply, either.

He is a knight, and a knight he was brought back to be...]

It was. Few other things could have been more so. I'm sorry.

[Diarmuid doesn't fight her push, rolling over completely onto his stomach and resting his head on his crossed arms. He doesn't try to make excuses for what he did either, because he knows she has the right to be angry. Leaving a hastily written note is nothing compared to actually telling someone those same things.]

There was not much time and things had to be done in secret. The cost would have been very great if we had failed.

You are not still pretending that it was a hunt you were on, now...

[The true extent of his injuries she could read like a book now. If he had not said he was a spirit returned to life, she would have sworn he should be a dead man walking from what she sees.]

They look like wings.

[The marks and still healing wounds did, a little. She traces the outer edge of the worst of it with a bit of the salve, still crying, but now her tears still fall and mix with what she applies.

Grainne's unaware of the transfer of power through body fluids, at least in the modern terms, so she tries to surreptitiously wipe a few away so he would not see them.]

As soon as you are better, I am leaving the Caer.

It was a hunt, Beloved, but my prey was not the White Hart. It was a much more dangerous individual. One who threatened the stability of this whole world.

[Who knows what might have come from Reynard stirring up the native people against those who carry shards? Who knows now what will come of his death, but hopefully, whatever it is will die down faster without him there to keep fanning the flames.

Diarmuid frowns a little when she mentions the wounds looking like wings. People have often compared him to a bird, but this is not how he would want to have gotten his wings. His train of thought is derailed, though, when he realizes how hard she is crying. Carefully, Diarmuid pushes her away so that he can get up and pull her into a hug.]

I swear to you it will be all right. Where will you be adventuring too?

[She has heard the word even on the road. People in towns she passed buzzing about both the Hart and Reynard's defeat. Some had even gone so far as to recognize her as a shardbearer and... well, she moved on from that village as quickly as she could.]

You were involved in Reynard's defeat... everyone I passed was talking about his death.

[She freezes when he starts moving, pulling back in case something on her person were to catch on his wounds. She hadn't wanted him to see her tears... She is limp when he pulls her close, not wanting to hurt him.]

The Station. I have people willing to teach me meeting me there.

Yes...he had to be stopped before he put everyone--shardbearer or not--in danger. All he cared about was gaining more power and it didn't matter who he hurt or killed in the process. He was even willing to lie to innocents just to get them to do his dirty work for him.

[Somehow, that is one of Reynard's greatest sins in Diarmuid's eyes. Drawing innocent people into the fight and turning them against those who they really have no hope of defeating in battle. The man valued no life but his own--and maybe his daughter's--that much is obvious.

Despite the seriousness of what they are talking about, Diarmuid can't help but smile when she tells him what she is going to do.]

You are going to become a knight, aren't you? Soon I will have a very trustworthy partner to fight out there with me...

[There is a bit of a teasing tone in his voice, but at the same time it is clear that he is very proud of her for taking this step.]

[Grainne nods, finally wrapping her salve stained hands around him. She's proud of him too, but still she cries.]

I do not know if a knight suits... more able to take care of myself in this realm, perhaps. I would never be able to swear myself to anyone but you...

[Diarmuid shakes his head.]

Don't swear yourself to me. Swear yourself to yourself. Your freedom is just as important as mine is.

[He wants her happy with her choices, not just making them because she thinks it is what he would want of her.]

You have the heart of a knight. That is all that matters to me. Learn what you can. I will be proud of you no matter what.

[While his words are meant as comfort, Grainne closes her eyes tightly and leans into him, trying not to hurt him too badly. It would be bad to say she didn't care what she did or how far she would have to go, as long as she could go where he did. Since coming here, she has felt ever more strongly that he... he is already beyond her reach.

With all of her spare time and empty hours of traveling, her mind has done nothing but worry at the knowledge he gave her about his death. How she is going to lose him... and how she is never going to be reunited with him in her own death.]

What... what good is freedom if I do not have you to share it? The heron was not crying out because she was frozen, she was calling for her companion...

Hey...

[Diarmuid holds her close for a moment, but when he hears those sad words, he cannot help but pull back and then cradle her tear-stained face in his hands.]

The heron must remember not to give up hope. Nothing is set in stone until it happens, and for you, much has not happened yet. Remember what my father is always saying? Things only end because people give up fighting for them. You know what you want. Fight for it and never stop.

Diarmuid... [For a minute, Grainne's tears block her vision, turning him into nothing but a blur no matter how much she blinks.] Would you rather be here, now, like this or alive and well? We are here together, but something else calls you... you came back to life for a reason and that reason was not for me. I want you to be happy... even...

[if I have to let you go.

The rest of the sentence gets swallowed by the pain the tears brought to her throat.]

[She doesn't get an answer right away. Instead, Diarmuid just strokes her damp cheeks gently with his thumbs. It would be easy for him just to say he needs to go back. After all, he has his vows in the war to fulfill. However, if he answers that way, he knows it will be a lie and he does not lie. This place--even though it shouldn't--makes him feel at home and like he belongs. He feels like people understand here and that he can really do a lot to help people. Not just do a little that helps one or two like he would be doing back in the war. Plus, she is here...

Which is the right choice? His vows in the war came first. Diarmuid should honor them above all else, but, somehow, that doesn't feel like it is truly what is right deep down.

Finally, after several moments, he bows his head slightly and closes his eyes.]

I...don't know.

[It's the only thing he can say right now that is perfectly honest. He just doesn't know.]

[That answer, probably most of all, hurts the most.

Lowering her head, she nods mutely, then takes a long, deep breath trying to reign in her emotions.]

Turn around... I am not finished yet.

[The salve is a good distraction, and one she uses to her full advantage.]

[The salve is a good distraction. Too good of one and one that Diarmuid recognizes for what it is. Instead of turning around, he takes the container from her hands and then sets it to the side. Once he is done, he reaches out to pull her into another hug, resting his head against hers.]

I am sorry I cannot give you a better answer. There...is just so much I am having to consider for the first time during this life...

[Grainne falls forward into him a little, and squeaks.]

Dear heart...

[She shakes her head a moment, but doesn't dare relax for fear of hurting his wounds.]

It was not fair of me to ask. You know I will do my best no matter what happens...

Beloved, relax. You are not going to hurt me if you hug me.

[So hug him back you silly little mouse.]

I know you will and I will do my best as well. Please don't blame yourself.

[Grainne gives him a skeptical look. He can't see his own back after all. But she gives in, wrapping her arms around him carefully in places where his wounds would not be touched.]

I wish I had half the fierceness my grandfathers did...

I think you have more than you give yourself credit for.

[Diarmuid tightens his arms around her, relaxing and then sighing happily. For the moment, his the pain from his injuries is gone and he is just happy to be here with her.]

I believe you are very fierce.

[Laughing softly, she rests her head against him, finally, relaxing as he wishes.]

Maybe... but I never feel like it. I was so very scared when I saw that cu sidhe attack you. Maybe that is why I was so scared when you left like that...

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject