[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]

The first? How interesting...

[Indeed, he had wondered if all of the Servants he had met being from the 4th or 5th War was some kind of pattern. Obvious, that is not the case...]

I prefer being friends and allies than enemies, to be honest. We have so much to learn from each other. I cannot help but wonder how much different your war was from my own, for instance.

[cagedinflesh]

I agree wholeheartedly, I see no reason even individuals from the same war should be enemies here. It's relieving to see others agree; especially in the troubles the Berserker class presents, I have wished for dialogue with others. You seem like a good man.

[Berserker offers more of a smile before continuing.] And I share your interest in the specifics of other wars. I have not dared to ask, generally. If it is a point of interest to you as well, perhaps, then, an exchange of sorts?

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid bows his head politely at the compliment.]

Thank you. As a knight, I try very hard to be a good person. It's important to me. You seem to be a good person as well.

[Merely summoned into an unfortunate class. Much like Cu Chulainn could have been.]

Many people from our world prefer to keep as much secret as possible, but I have never been overly fond of secrecy. I would be glad to have a discussion about our wars with you.

[cagedinflesh]

[Jekyll tries to pass the bowing of his own head off as a gracious gesture as well, but in reality it's the pang of guilt felt for appearing better than he is. Lying about his duplicity and truly horrifying actions.]

A knight- thank you, I too try to uphold the honourable path set out by the knightly order. I admire your kind very much, it's an honour to meet so many knights, I must very nearly wonder if all other Servants are of the knighthood.

[Which would make him being a Heroic Spirit all the more painfully ironic and unsuitable.]

That others should desire secrecy was certainly a worry in asking after detail. As I see it, the sharing of information should be of help to us, a better understanding for all, if anything. As you said, we should be allies.

[He raises his head to smile once again.] Then, to start, I have heard most wars do not occur in Tokyo, as mine did, is that true for yours?

[oathshackledbird]

Saber, Lancer, Archer. They are called the knight classes in my war. I don't know if they have the same name in yours, but it seems those classes are popular here for some reason. That is probably why you feel like you have met so many. They wouldn't be called they were not very often filled by Heroic Spirits who are knights, but that doesn't mean everyone is.

[Don't be so hard on yourself, Jekyll.]

That is correct. My war takes place in a city called Fuyuki. It is still in Japan, but it is certainly not Tokyo.

[cagedinflesh]

Yes, that fact remains. Even so, every Servant I have met, even in my own war, seems to be a knight! [Still, he laughs. Even if it would still be nice to be like that. Someone who could be admired, and worthy of being called heroic.]

Not so terribly different, then. How far along is it for you?

[oathshackledbird]

Well then, you get to be the unique one. There is nothing wrong with that.

[Diarmuid laughs and then answers Berserker's question.]

Actually, the war had just started when I was brought here. I was on my way back to my master's base after my first battle. One moment I was crossing rooftops, the next I was standing in a castle.

How about you?

[cagedinflesh]

-Around the same time. Although the war had started some days before, it was the morning after my first battle. My Master and I were discussing the previous night in his home, over breakfast, when suddenly I found myself here. You did not find your way to your own, then? That's unfortunate.

[oathshackledbird]

While I am always glad to help, I think they realized that I would not so easily walk away from the vows I had made to my Lord in the war. I do not blame them. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

[A curious look crosses Diarmuid's face.]

So you get alone well with your Master?

[Somehow, he can't imagine having breakfast and what seems like a pleasant discussion of the war with Kayneth...]

[cagedinflesh]

Yes, that much should be quite the clear quality for a knight, no doubt the rulers are familiar with it, and yet it must be among the reasons you were chosen.

[With the question, he brings a hand to cover his heart, his smile softening.] My Master is someone I admire greatly. He used no catalyst and so I was summoned based only upon compatibility. Needless, then, to say, we get along famously; we are friends are comrades. And yourself?

[oathshackledbird]

You are a very lucky man.

[Diarmuid's eyes drop from the locket for a moment and grow distant as he remembers how the battle with Saber had ended and the feel of his Lord using a command spell on him to make him do what he did not wish to do.]

Lets just say we get along better now that we are not bound together by a contract...

[cagedinflesh]

Ah. I pity your situation. To be at odds in any way with one who holds such control over you must be difficult indeed... It should be no surprise, yet even so, I suppose I have grown complacent in my own spot; I cannot imagine any other relationship between Master and Servant. But, your Master is in the Drabwurld, then?

[oathshackledbird]

He does not seem to trust me or my methods, though I do not think I have done anything that would make him feel that way. We just do not match that well, but considering my relic is one he used only because his first one was stolen not long before the war started...

[Diarmuid shrugs. He cannot claim to know Rider that well after only having met him once, but somehow he gets the feeling Kayneth would not have had a much easier time with the giant, free-willed Servant.]

He is. A version of him anyway. He comes from farther along in the war than I do. I believe that is why our contract is not active here even though we arrived here at the same time.

[cagedinflesh]

I see... I may be wrong, but my guess might be, misguided as it is, that he is taking some of the frustration of losing his original intent out on you. As if it is somehow your fault, though of course it isn't in the least.

[He can't help but feel as if his own Master is the one who should be distrustful of his Servant, not Lancer's Master. Their positions should be switched.]

[oathshackledbird]

Your thoughts are not so misguided as you think. Considering the preparation that he put into using that specific relic...

[Diarmuid shrugs. Granted, were he in Kayneth's shoes, as angry as he might have been, he hopes he would have enough sense not to take his anger out on an innocent Servant.]

There is another thing that might have more to do with it than that, though. My lord has a fiancee and she seems to have taken an...interest in me.

[And he really wishes she had not...]

[cagedinflesh]

...Ah. That certainly does explain. Though I can imagine for you it only creates a bad situation in all directions.

[That's so awkward... Berserker definitely doesn't envy that position. Not that he hasn't found some novelty and enjoyment in women taking interest in him during the war - but it's a pretty big difference between someone just passing by on the street, and someone actually being interacted with. Much less the Master's fiancee.]

[oathshackledbird]

Yes, and I don't understand it. She is a magus herself and should be able to resist the curse that is on my face. Why is it affecting her?

[It is honestly something he has tried to keep himself from thinking about because he probably will not like the answer he comes up with.]

Still, this is not the first time my curse has put me in this position. Hopefully, this time, things will turn out differently.

[Geez, Diarmuid. Why not just give away your identity directly at this rate?]

[cagedinflesh]

The curse on your face? [That really is quite the give away.] -Ah, no, I'll try not to think about it, otherwise I would be liable to guess your name!

Yes, if something like that is causing it, then perhaps with this break, she will come around.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid laughs and waves a dismissive hand.]

If you do, you do. I do not mind. If I had it my way, I would just introduce myself by my true name anyway. The rules of the war really do not apply here, do they?

[It is merely because of his Lord's request that he introduces himself as 'Lancer' at all.]

I hope that you are right. We may be here a long time and it would be good if the curse passed by the time I return to them. The war will go much smoother.

[cagedinflesh]

No, no I suppose they don't. Still, one's legend can be...misleading. To put oneself on display that way could potentially be uncomfortable, or worse. Whether the way it's seen in the modern day is truthful or not. If any would wish to reveal their name to me, I would be fascinated to hear it, but to press the matter or to guess is a very different thing.

[He doesn't look Lancer in the eye as he says it, because of course he has his own in mind, and it's shameful even to think of.]

We can hope, then! My fingers will be crossed for you. At least something good should come of this.

[oathshackledbird]

That is true. I suppose not everyone is so lucky as I was. One of my best friends is the one who spun the first versions of my legend. Of course, they will reflect well on me.

[That and Diarmuid was a good person who was forced into a bad situation by Fate. It's not like Oisin had to work too hard to make him look like a hero. Diarmuid was one.]

Thank you. What else would you like to know of my war?

[cagedinflesh]

Is that so? It was a dear friend who wrote of me, too. Yet not so flattering.

[He gives a bit of a shrug and a faint smile.]

Hm, let's see. Is there anything odd or different about it? Do you know if the war has changed at all since the first?

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid frowns.]

Well, my friend was a dreamer and loved beauty. I honesty am not surprised he told my tales as he did. Not everyone is like that. I suspect that your friend was probably more of a realist than mine was.

[Still, it is sad that a friend would remember another in such a way.]

I don't think so? But, I have to admit that my knowledge of past wars is limited to what the Grail has told me. My lord would probably be able to better answer that question. However, as far as I know there are some things that have never changed. There are seven Servants and seven Masters who fight to win the chance to wish upon the Holy Grail. One Servant is summoned from each class: Saber, Lancer, Archer, Caster, Berserker, Rider, and Assassin.

[cagedinflesh]

I would not say a realist so much as invested in certain ideas, which happened to lend well. Or rather to be the direct subject matter. He wouldn't sugarcoat anything, at least. In some ways, I suppose I am grateful for that. Your friend, however, may as well be under an obligation to spin the tale in such a way! Stories of knights are always grand and beautiful, I don't doubt it to be fact for you.

[He beams. It should be clear in that, he isn't just saying it. If Lancer is a knight, then that sort of story is only appropriate. The friend did well.]

Yes, that all is certainly a constant. Perhaps this would be better asked of a Master, yet I hesitate to, as their opinion may be more biased than a Servant's. Is it, in your opinion, something for magi to assert some sort of dominance? Over others within the war, certainly, but among outsiders, whether magi or innocent locals? ...I suppose what I am asking is whether you have noted any abusing their power.

[oathshackledbird]

Well, he was a great bard and you are right, there are certain things that audiences expect.

[Plus there isn't a bard out there who doesn't have their own versions of tales--ones where they exaggerate some things or gloss over others to prove their point better.]

It's true. My lord's view on things is very different from my own. This is despite the fact that we have the same goal...

I have only met a few of the masters in my war--remember my war is still very new. From what I can tell, though, Rider's master is not going to be one who ever can abuse him. Rider barely listens to him or anyone to be honest.

[Diarmuid laughs softly.]

After seeing Saber and her master interact, I don't think she would abuse her power over Saber either. The only other master I know personally is my own and...

[Despite the command spell that was used on him, Diarmuid won't speak ill of Kayneth, so he just falls quiet instead. The sudden silence is probably somewhat damning itself...]