eachdraidh | [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.]

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Straton, hu? Well, even if he is, I think Oscar can handle it. He's proving to be a ver--

[Diarmuid's words cut off as there is a crash somewhere off camera. His gaze move to a place behind his locket and then he sighs. Oscar has apparently managed to tumble into his closet and Diarmuid isn't sure which fared worse--Oscar or the closet.

No, never mind. It is definitely the closet.]

As I was saying, he's very resilient. I suspect he can handle an older cub just fine.

[A gentle look crosses his face when he sees how relieved she is.]

Thank you. I won't deny it was a frightening experience, but it had to be done for the good of everyone here. He was dealt with in the end. I would be surprised if you haven't heard a version of two of the tale floating around already. How accurate it still is, I don't know, but it seems to be a popular topic of conversation.

[She can't help laughing a little when she hears the crash off screen. She hadn't been around to watch Straton grow, but she'd imagined he'd been like an overeager puppy to start with, especially from Ariadne's exasperated expressions when he got into things.]

Well, it'll be a good chance for them tae interact with their kin in either case.

[Merida brushes some hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear as she tilted her head.]

I did hear speak on my way back from th' hunt. Somethin' about th' winds Cul Lairid Orc soundin' like a lingerin' scream.

[What she imagines is pretty accurate. At least, for this cub. He is one fluff ball of an overeager puppy with far too many teeth for his own good. Fortunately, he is more likely just to run into things instead of chew on them. There would probably be nothing left of Diarmuid's suite otherwise.]

Yes, exactly, and I am not sure if there are others of his kind at the Caer or not. I certainly don't remember seeing any.

[Not that it means there are none, but...]

His screams...yes...that is about all that was left of him. The magic did its work well.

[Perhaps, too well. The sound. The feeling. The images. They are going to haunt Diarmuid for a long time like nothing else he has ever experienced has.]

[She gives him a comforting smile, as much as she can while suppressing a shudder of her own. She'd be avoiding the Cul Lairid Orc herself for a time now, not that she'd ever been there before, but she'd be taking extra care not to go near the area. It's not the first time Merida's wanted to reach through the locket, but she wants to be able to take his hand.]

Ye saved us all. Many of us will be in your debt an' not even know it. [Merida gives him a grateful smile now, bowing her head.] As princess [even though she wasn't their princess, she was still one.] an' a friend, I thank ye, Diarmuid.

[Diarmuid returns her smile gratefully, but then shakes his head.]

Your words mean more than I can say, but it is okay if people don't know what I did. I didn't do it for recognition. I did it because of people like you and my wife and even those who I don't know who might have been hurt if Reynard had been allowed to continue with what he was doing. No one should be allowed to gain power by treading on the backs of others.

[A look of understanding crosses her face and she nods.]

Aye, I agree. It's one of th' reasons mum chose me tae become head of th' clan rather than give th' throne tae my brothers, so that none of them would fight over it. [She tilts her head, putting her hand to her chin.] There's a tale back home about a man who started a war with his brothers tae gain power because he was unsatisfied with th' way his father divided th' kingdom. He felt that as th' oldest, th' land was his tae rule as he pleased.

And that attitude is probably the exact reason his father decided to divide the kingdom as he did.

[Diarmuid sighs. There are reasons that he is happy to just be a knight. Having to decide who gets what power or what land is exactly one of those reasons. He does not envy Grainne for having to decide how to split their lands and such between their children after he was gone.]

What did your brothers think of your mother's decision? Were they okay with it?

[She gives a small laugh at the question, though it does make her think. What did her brothers think about it? They'd never confided in her. Possibly because they were too busy terrorising and stealing sweets from their nanny.]

They're only wee things, barely four. [Merida's smile turns wry as she looks off to the side.] I don't think they'd understand th' pressures yet or why mum decided tae make me Queen one day.

Oh!

[A surprised and then slightly embarrassed look crosses his face. After a moment, he laughs at his mistake.]

That is what I get for assuming instead of just asking. If they are both four, does that mean they are twins? Grainne and I had twins as well. A boy and a girl.

It's my fault for not clarifyin'.

[Merida waves a hand, telling him to forget about it.]

Aye, they're triplets, actually. Wee devils who can get away with anythin'. I feel sorry for their poor nanny sometimes, most of their pranks include scarin' th' daylights out of her.

Triplets? Oh my...

[Diarmuid actually puts his head in his hands for a moment and then shakes it.]

I am imagining having to deal with my three older boys all at the same time and...

[He can't help but shiver.]

That poor, poor nanny.

[She laughs at his expression.]

That's pretty much how it goes, aye. I'm surprised poor Maudie hasn't died of fright yet.

My father always said that our women are made of the toughest stuff. I am sure she has grown even tougher since she started having to deal with them.

[He still doesn't envy her, though, not one bit.]

[Merida just thanks the gods she won't have to deal with her own children quite yet if that runs in the family.]

My father says that about th' women in our clan as well.

[She shakes her head.]

I should leave you to your rest.

Your father is a very wise man.

[Diarmuid starts to say something else, but his words are cut off by a yawn. Perhaps, she is right.]

Thank you. I hope that we can speak again soon. It's always a pleasure talking to you.

[She chuckles softly, smiling gently when he yawns.]

Sleep well, Diarmuid.

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

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