[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

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid gently runs a hand over her hair.]

What happened in the past, happened in the past, Beloved. It doesn't mean that it has to happen again. You have changed and grown since then, haven't you? I have faith in you and your strength.

Besides, sometimes running is the best choice. It doesn't mean that you are too afraid. It just means you recognize you cannot win the battle as it stands.

[athousandcurses]

But I am scared... I do not like fighting or running or being on my own...

[Or anything that they had to do for so long when they were running. She just wants to go home, care for their children, the homestead. The same thing so many got to enjoy without tears just because they had been born a different person.]

I just wish to go home.

[oathshackledbird]

[A sad look fills his eyes. Diarmuid knows how much she wants to go home and that is part of the reason he works so hard and pushes himself so far. How else will he get her back where she so badly wants to be?]

Sometimes we have to do things we don't want to in order to be able to later do what we want to. Just hold onto that thing you want to do so badly and let it give you strength when you are afraid. You know why you are doing this things you don't want to. Someday they will be done and you will be happy again. I promise.

[athousandcurses]

[Grainne stops, staring at his face for a long moment, with growing intensity. There were so many things she could be staring at him for. His words, his wounds, but no...

Lifting her hands, her fingers gently brushed his cheek near where the mole is, but not on purpose. Her other hand followed suit, until her fingers were brushing both of his cheeks.]

Why do you look so sad, Diarmuid? I want to make you happy... ever since I first saw you, you have always looked sad...

[oathshackledbird]

[As soon as she speaks, guilt washes through Diarmuid and he shuts his eyes as if that will hide what he hadn't meant for her to see. With all that is on her mind, the last thing he wants to do is add more to it. Besides, he is not sure how she will react to knowing he is sad because he can't do more to get her back where she wants to be.

Even if it means they will be apart again.

He sighs, suddenly feeling very tired. Considering how late it is, she must be tired too...]

It will make me very happy if you will rest with me. Come, let me hold you close and leave our worries for another time.

[athousandcurses]

[Grainne would be happy to do that, and she moves as if to do so, when...]

Let me finish and rebandage those for you... your skin will catch on the blankets if I do not.

[And with a will that will not be deterred, she reaches around him to finish applying the last bits of salve that she hadn't left on his face, and then turns to take new bandages in hand, wrapping his chest quickly and efficiently.

All in all, it doesn't take more than a minute before she is ready, hands wiped and arms held out for him.

And then she gets a suspicious look.]

Where is that pup of yours...

[oathshackledbird]

Cub...

[Diarmuid's voice is a sleepy murmur. Despite how fast she works and the fact he took a moment to wipe the salve from his face before settling down, Diarmuid almost falls asleep while she is working. However, shortly after his murmur, he snaps awake with the practiced ease of a father who knows his kids are getting into trouble.

That cub has been far too quiet.]

Oscar!

[Shortly after he calls out, there is a scuffling in the closet and out tumbles his bandersnatch cub. Oscar rights himself, trots over to the bed, and then jumps up on it.]

Oh, so now you are a Golden Cadre Knight yourself, are you? Are you going to keep Lady company?

[Yes somehow, while the cub was playing, he managed to get Diarmuid's golden cloak wrapped around him...and he seems quite at home in it too. Diarmuid would almost say he is smiling...]

[athousandcurses]

Well, at least he was not relieving himself in your space.

[Grainne relaxes as the cub makes itself known, then tenses up a little as she draws closer to Diarmuid to prepare for their rest.

She's had to share him with dogs before, but not whatever Oscar seems to be. He had better get used to sharing very quickly.]

What is he, dear heart?

[oathshackledbird]

No, he knows better than that.

[Diarmuid unwraps his cloak from around Oscar and then sets it on a nearby bed stand. The cub makes an unhappy sound at losing his adornment, but a moment later seems to forget all about in it favor of cuddling up against Diarmuid's side. Diarmuid gives him a warm smile and then wraps one arm around him. As soon as the animal is comfortable, he turns to wrap his other arm around Grainne.]

He's what is called a bandersnatch. I had not heard of them until he arrived. I've been trying to gather more information since then.

[athousandcurses]

[Grainne peers at the creature with a critical eye, trying to determine how much mess he will get into compared to all the dogs Diarmuid's had over the years.]

Is he really going to be on the bed here with us? If he grows into a large creature, I would ask you to put that out of his head earlier than later...

[oathshackledbird]

[As if he can understand her words, Oscar growls softly. However, it's a sleepy sound that trails off when Diarmuid starts stroking the cub's head.]

He's just a baby right now, Grainne. Don't worry. When he gets bigger, I will find a new place for him.

[It won't really work to have an animal that can be used as a mount in bed with them...]

[athousandcurses]

Diarmuid...

[See that look? That is the look of one wife who has had too many horse-sized dogs try to crawl into bed thinking they were just giant puppies.]

Just... put him at the end. And he is not to be in my rooms at all.

[oathshackledbird]

[See this look? This is the look of a man who sees no problem sharing the bed with some horse-sized dogs who think they are just puppies.]

If I put him at the end, he will nibble at our toes until I let him up again. Look...he's already asleep.

[Diarmuid shifts slightly to show the sleeping cub.]

And I promise to keep him out of your rooms, all right?

[athousandcurses]

[This look he should know very well, for it is the one she always gives him when she is seriously considering whether or not he's going to get any future intimate time with her.]

Well, you are welcome to have him up with us... if you do not wish my touch.

[Her or the beasts, Diarmuid.]

[oathshackledbird]

[Unfortunately for her, that kind of thing is the farthest thing from Diarmuid's mind at the moment. He hurts and is tired. In fact, being on his back so that each of them can have a side to snuggle into away from each other is causing his wound to throb again.]

Do as you wish. It is a long way back to your room...

[Leave him alone and he will likely be asleep before you are out the door, Grainne. No offense, but he just wants to sleep right now...]

[athousandcurses]

[Grainne tries to suppress a few tears, but she watches him a moment before pulling his shoulder up so he can lay on his side facing the cub. Then, she wiggles gently into place so if he falls back, he'll be propped up by her and free of his wounds touching the blankets.]

[oathshackledbird]

Silly little mouse...

[Diarmuid sighs and gently pushes her back so that he can roll to his other side. Behind him, the cub grumbles and then shifts to curl up in his lower back. Oscar is more than big enough to keep Diarmuid from rolling over during the night. He then wraps his arms around Grainne and buries his head in her hair.]

Go to sleep, Beloved. Morning will come far too quickly.

[athousandcurses]

Isn't that what I should be telling you? Let morning come, I will not leave until you are healed.

[But she sighs, adjusting to his new position and relaxing.]

[oathshackledbird]

We can tell each other.

[Diarmuid presses a kiss to the top of her head and then shuts his eyes. Almost immediately, he falls soundly asleep.]