animus_network | Video; Preparing for the Worst, Hoping...

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Video; Preparing for the Worst, Hoping...

With all that has happened in the last few weeks and how angry Jason is, it shouldn't be surprising he's already making changes to how things work around here. There is really no way to know what he will do next. All we can do is prepare for the worst and hope for the best as foolish as hoping for anything here might seem. We may be limited in what we can do to prepare, but there is one thing I have noticed we can be working on. We all know how easy it is for any of the Administrators to turn off our powers. It can happen in the blink of an eye and without any kind of warning. And power loss is not limited to just when the Administrators wish it anymore. In addition to that and the floors that cancel out powers, ever since the initial systems' failure, it has become clear that even though systems are back up, they are far from stable. While there are some in the Tower who are as skilled fighting without their powers are they are with, there are a great many who rely too heavily on something they can lose so suddenly and completely.

There have been many people who have tried to set up training classes here in the past. I knew too briefly two of them, Hei and Tear Grants. Both of them are gone from the Tower now, but I would not like to see their hard work die just because they have been sent away. This is especially important right now since things will likely get worse around here before we can make them better.

I would like to ask anyone who is willing to help teach people non-magical ways of fighting and first aid to please contact me. As a great many people also rely on magical weapons they might lose without their special abilities, I would also request the aid of all who would be willing to help make non-magical weapons for those who need them. The weapons do not need to be pretty, only functional.

Finally, I would ask anyone interesting in learning how to fight without special abilities or would like to get a non-magical weapon to act as a back up for their magical weapons, to please contact me. I don't know how quickly I will be able to get the weapons together--that will depend on how much help I get. However, as I am one who is able to fight with or without my special abilities, I can start setting up training classes right away for any who are interested.

Thank you all for your assistance in this matter. I have always believed that the stronger we make each of us, the stronger we will be overall, and the more likely we will be to find the Truth we all are so desperately looking for.

Private Video Locked To: Shion (

savedbyasong ), Xion (

attheclocktower ), Akemi Homura (

rewindingly ), and Kirika Yuumura (

carrythesin ).

(OOC: I am aware that Kirika is no longer in the game, but since Diarmuid doesn't know, he is locking the message to everyone Hei asked him to contact in his letter.)

First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Diarmuid Ua Duibhne. While we may have passed each other in the Tower, I do not believe I have met any of you before now. However, we have a friend in common, Hei. I received a letter from him not long before he was sent away asking me to help all of you should he ever leave this place.

I am deeply sorry it has taken me so long to contact you. The last few months have been terrible, but that is no excuse for me to have neglected this request as long as I have. I ask you to forgive me for that since Hei is not here for me to ask forgiveness from.

[Here Diarmuid pauses to bow deeply at the screen. He holds the bow for several seconds before straightening and speaking again.]

If you ever wish to call upon my aid or that of my friends, please feel free to contact me. My room number is #4-16 and my mailbox is #0091. You may contact me through either means if you wish in addition to responding to this message.

With all that is going on in the Tower at the moment, I will understand if you don't feel comfortable accepting my offer, but I wish to make it anyway. It will always be open no matter if you decide to contact me now or not. Whatever you decision, I hope that you remain safe and that your quest for Truth is successful.

Private Video Locked To: Waver Velvet (

fionnuisce )

My friend, I have been invited to a wedding. Tell me I'm not going to jinx it if I go. I have already agreed to be there, but...

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Any weapons made here will probably be made out of film, though. Wouldn't it be better to focus on taking down monsters and stealing their weapons?

[If they can hide them well enough, they wouldn't even have to worry about the retrieval units nabbing them.]

You mean as in using their horns and teeth or whatever weapons they, themselves are carrying?

[The questions are mostly to himself as Diarmuid thinks over the suggestion. Suddenly, his eyes widen.]

Why didn't I think of that? They are real when little else is and as such, those weapons would be more useful especially if we are not only powerless, but the systems are also down.

Thank you... I'm sorry. I don't know that we have been properly introduced. I am Diarmuid Ua Duibhne. May I ask your name?

Hey, if it's any consolation, I never would've suggested it if I hadn't gotten caught up in the infiltration.

[He's gotta give credit where credit is due, and Ganondorf was the one who brought up the possibility initially.]

Anyway, the name's Riku-- one of two around here. Four if you really want to get technical.

Whatever the original source of the information, I am glad you brought it to my attention, Riku. This is information that should be more widespread. Considering the number of monsters I regularly kill during my patrols, I could rather quickly gather some materials...

[Diarmuid's voice trails off as he begins considering the logistics of gathering those materials. He shakes his head after a few moments, though, and returns his attention to Riku.]

Forgive me for being distracted. It seems more and more information that was discovered during the infiltration is making its way out to us now. We owe those of you who went down a very great debt of gratitude.

[He had wanted to go, but his place had been with his Master guarding some of the fluid containers just in case Jason decided to try and reclaim them while everyone was distracted.]

Since you brought this information to me, would you be interested in helping to gather the materials needed to make our weapons more real?

Hey, I'd be more than happy to help. I already spend hours busting monsters, anyway. What's the harm in scrounging up their supplies? You could even snag a few weapons from them. Darknut swords and armor, stuff like that.

[Means less work forging, or they can take the existing weapons and amplify them somehow.]

We'll just have to hide them, so they don't get replaced with flimsy, film copies.

Replaced? Of course...

[Diarmuid shakes his head, a look of distaste crossing his face.]

It would be easy for them to do that while we are all frozen during their time suspensions, wouldn't it? How covenant.

[He sighs and pushes away his anger.]

Your help will be greatly appreciated. With them looking, we are going to have to assume some loss of what we will gather. Keeping people armed will be an ongoing possess, but then again it always is. We'll need all the hands working at this as we can get.

We'd probably be better off making concrete plans off of the network, anyway. Say too much here, and they might catch on. Throw in some preventative measures like tighter security during the time suspension.

That's not something I will argue with. Personally, I'm not that fond of the Network. I usually only use it when I really have to. I prefer talking to people face-to-face when possible.

If there is anything I can do to assist you or if you need me for anything, my room number is 4-16 and my mailbox number is #0091. Please feel free to contact me in either way.

Make that three. I don't think Ira appreciates being referred to by our name.

[Being totally different from the Real Thing and all. Though on the topic at hand...]

...How would you judge our chances of stealing a sword from an Invisible?

[If they are already talking stealing monster weapons, they might as well think big, right?]

[Diarmuid smiles when Riku mentions the problems with having so many versions of a similar person around, but he says nothing. So far, he has been lucky enough not to have to deal with the confusion caused by having another version of himself in the Tower.]

An Invisible? If we are thinking of the same creature, for one such as myself it would likely be impossible because I have very few magical abilities, but I know that is not the case for a lot of people. I expect a well organized group of magic wielders would find it not so hard especially if they all know the monster well and have an idea of what to expect. This is especially true if the goal is not to actually defeat the monster, just steal its weapon.

[Diarmuid pauses to think for a few moments before continuing.]

While it might take longer to hunt these more dangerous monsters, the effort might be worth it in the end. While using teeth and claws to make weapons would be faster, part of said weapon would still be made of film objects and that would make them less useful in the long run.

I wonder if it would be possible to organize groups of fighters with the purpose of hunting monsters known to carry weapons of their own. While their weapons aren't as strong as those of an Invisible, Orcs, for example always carry weapons with them and they are much easier to hunt and kill. More common as well.

It'd probably help to sort people into groups based on different skill sets. Magic's no problem for someone like me, but I know it's not universal. Then again, building teams with mixed strengths does create more balance. Sometimes you might have to deal with reinforcements outside your league...

[It's kind of unpredictable, just like the rest of the tower. They've gotta plan carefully.]

[Diarmuid starts to reply, but then pauses, looking closer at the responders. Once he does, his eyes widen. The differences are subtle, but now that he has stopped to notice they are definitely there.

Embarrassment flashes across his face and he bows his head.]

You...did say three or four, versions, didn't you? My apologies. I have known a couple of people who had alternate versions of themselves here, but they always had very sharp distinctions in their looks. Hair color, eye color. I suppose I should not have assumed all alternate versions would be so distinctive.

[After bowing again, he returns to the topic at hand.]

You are correct. It is never wise to have a whole group that is completely one kind of fighter or the other. Nothing is for certain in this place and even the certain can change in the blink of an eye. One thing I have always tried to do since arriving is prepare for anything since it so often happens.

Hey, don't sweat it. I don't expect everyone to be able to tell us apart at a glance. It used to be easier, but now that I've hit my growth spurt, I'd say it'll only get tougher from here.

[It was easier when he was like... six plus inches shorter.]

Preparation's good, though. Given the amount of curveballs they throw at us, I'd even argue that it's better to over prepare than to expect them to go easy on us.

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oathshackledbird - 2013-08-13 05:36 (UTC) - Expand

[Well, it helps to have a bit of an age gap between all of them. Well, except the two replicas, but thankfully that's not his problem. Also, have an OU!ku-shrug.]

The Invisible are from our set of universes, so they were the first thing that came to mind. They are more tricky to fight here, true, but that just means it takes a bit more presistance and strategy. Though I admit, even then, fighting more than one at a time isn't really recommandable.

[While on your own anyways.]

It might be worth a try, but it'd be better if those groups are flexible about their membership. [People do tend to disappear from the tower after all.] Maybe you could just put out something like a "Weapons Wanted"-list to get started. There are quite a few people who regularily go out to fight the monsters anyways.

[Diarmuid bows, expression embarrassed.]

Please accept my apologies. I should have noticed the differences between you two sooner. I am apparently more distracted by current events than I thought.

Do you go by Riku as well, or is there something else I should call you?

[He bows his head again, before shifting the topic back to weapons and gathering them.]

The list is a good idea! And it is possible some of the other hunters already have things they have gathered. While flexible groups would be a good idea, after all that has been happening, it might be harder to get people to trust just anyone. However, as long as we are willing to combine information and share what is gathered, people can form their groups as they will and feel comfortable doing. Honestly, as long as people are getting armed with real weapons, how it is done is not so important.

[Riku blinks at him for a second, but then shakes his head with a light chuckle.]

Riku is fine. And don't worry about it; it happens every now and then.

[After a year and some, he is more than used to it. And besides... admittedly, apart of maybe one or two centimeter height, different collar colors and the haircut there really isn't much difference inbetween them anymore. Physically anyways.]

Yeah. Though, it would be nice if we could modify them. I wonder if there is anyone in this place who knows how to forge weapons...

Edited 2013-08-13 17:42 (UTC)

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oathshackledbird - 2013-08-14 03:07 (UTC) - Expand

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justabignobody - 2013-08-15 17:47 (UTC) - Expand

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oathshackledbird - 2013-08-16 01:53 (UTC) - Expand

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justabignobody - 2013-08-24 21:15 (UTC) - Expand

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oathshackledbird - 2013-08-25 00:18 (UTC) - Expand

Oh, so he's got a name? That makes things a bit easier. Now we've just gotta figure out what to do about a certain other 'Riku'.

[AKA his Replica. Keyku's still not sure how to deal with his identity crisis.]

And if we tag-teamed one, we could probably power through an Invisible without too much trouble. You've got a few spells up your sleeve, right?

...Maybe I could ask Naminé to talk to him... help him figure things out.

[Given her powers that seems like a good idea to him. Because whelp... in OU!ku's eyes letting him run around thinking himself the Real Thing when he just isn't, just isn't doing him any good either. The truth may be hurtful, but it's always better to know it, than to be trapped by the lie.]

That's what I thought. [Also have a smirk at that question.] One or two.

[Or maybe some more. Training with Terra is really paying off.]

If he'd listen to anyone, it's probably her. I remember him mentioning her in Monstro before.

[It was vague, though, but enough to indicate that they know or knew each other on at least some level.

As for the smirk, here. Have one in return.]

Two's better than none. I've got more than enough in my arsenal to even things out.

[A nod.]

I'll talk to her then.

[He isn't surprised at all; Ira and Naminé know each other from Castle Oblivion after all and though he doesn't know the details of what happened... he's always sensed that Naminé somehow held regrets in regard to his replica's fate.

Riku snorts.]

Don't worry, I won't be weighting you down. See you tonight?

Yeah. I got a name, thanks.

[Now if only he had a nametag... ha ha no.]

[Diarmuid blinks. A third one and from his words, probably the one that the others were talking about who doesn't like using the shared name. While he isn't sure if the boy wishes to talk about weapons as the others have--he might just be posting to clear up the name thing--Diarmuid can't help but respond anyway. If nothing else, he can find out what the boy does like being called by so that if they ever met in the Tower he won't accidentally call him by the wrong name.]

If you don't wish to be called Riku, may I ask what you do wish to be called? I would hate to use the wrong name should we meet in the future.

Ira. [He pauses for a moment before answering further:] And someone already promised to teach me, but I could help get a few materials from the monsters if you need help with that.

The help would be appreciated, Ira.

[Diarmuid gives him a nod of thanks.]

It is good to meet you. I wish you well with your teacher. We are lucky that there are so many talented people here for us to learn from.

Thanks. [though really, it's his teacher who will need the help.] ...and yeah, I guess.

[awkwaaaard.]