☿ // 002; [text]

[fionnuisce]

[Standing in front of the terminal, Waver looked like hell. More accurately, like he got the hell to a terminal within two minutes of sleep paralysis wearing off. His suit jacket forgotten, the usual sunglasses were hanging off a collared shirt as black as his disheveled, untied hair.]

[Let it never be said Waver Velvet was an unkempt mess; there were just much more important things to consider right now than his personal appearance.]

I have a question. Technically several, though all geared toward the same subject.

Has there yet been any evidence of limits to this place's resurrection capabilities? An upper limit on times one can return, for example?

And what of side effects: has there ever been any indication of lingering illness or other such afflictions?

You'll have to excuse me if these are stupid questions. I hadn't had time or reason to consider the implications of this until now.

Comments

[oathshackledbird]

Well, it's not like you are a bad looking man.

[Diarmuid gives him a close look, that smirk sliding back onto his face.]

You did grow up a lot, after all. It's only natural people would compliment you.

[fionnuisce]

W-well...

[He faltered for a second, that bright red color threatening to return.]

It's--I'd rather not hear it from a bunch of teenage girls, thank you very much!

[oathshackledbird]

So then...

[And there a twinkle returns to his eyes to join the smirk.]

...you would rather hear it from the boys?

[fionnuisce]

[FACEPALM.]

No, goddammit!

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid laughs for several moments before calming himself.]

I'm sorry. I'll stop. You just react so strongly. I can't help it sometimes.

Forgive me? And please, tell me if I go too far.

[He pauses to rub at the back of his neck.]

I do go too far sometimes. Despite how it looks, I am not so good at this kind of thing.

[fionnuisce]

[Waver sighed, taking his hand away from his face with an almost exasperated look.]

I'm not all that great at it either, but it's not as though I'm going to take anything personally.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid tilts his head at Waver, a silly smile on his face.]

Yes, you've developed a thick skin, haven't you? Everywhere but...

[He reaches out to flick Waver between the eyes like he did once before, but stops and only pats him there instead.]

..there right? It's your weak point.

[fionnuisce]

...hmph. You don't have to tease me so much, you know.

[Although he didn't sound like he minded all that much.]

[oathshackledbird]

Sorry, I guess I am just bleeding off some of the stress from everything that has been going on. I...don't show this side of myself to many people as you can probably guess.

[He bows his head, the fingers of one hand twisting in the blanket on the bed. While he seems embarrassed, he is still smiling.]

I have to be relaxed and feel safe to be this way. It...doesn't happen very often, though it is happening more often now that I've met you and my brother.

[fionnuisce]

...I'm flattered. Really, I mean that.

[Waver smiled sincerely, putting a hand on Diarmuid's shoulder.]

If it makes you feel better, I never talk about myself like this. There's no one else I'd trust with this kind of thing. [Beat.] ...No one else I trust at all, actually.

[oathshackledbird]

I am deeply honored by your trust, and I will do my best to never betray that trust. I just hope that the tower allows me to keep your secrets.

[He looks a little worried for a moment before pushing that emotion away.]

Though, we should make you a few more friends. It never hurts to have more than one person to watch your back in a place like this.

[Diarmuid suddenly grins again.]

Unless, you really do want to move into the room with me.

[fionnuisce]

...I wouldn't really complain if that happened, to tell you the truth.

[oathshackledbird]

I don't know if it could happen or not. I mean something links us to our rooms and beds as proven by how we will die if we don't sleep in our specific bed every so often.

[Diarmuid runs his hand over the top of the bed.]

Can we be moved once assigned to a spot? I don't know. I suppose the only way to find out would be if you put a request into the request box, but that holds it's own set of dangers. Requests are often purposely misinterpreted when they are answered at all. When I asked for my second sketchbook, I made sure the request was as simple and straightforward as I could make it. I was lucky and did get it, but that isn't always the case.

And there is the fact that asking to move into a room with a specific person will be like giving them a note that says "I have a weak spot and it is this person."

Still...I wouldn't mind having you closer to me.

[fionnuisce]

Honestly I might be willing to risk it if it meant we were a little closer. It's stupid and not exactly a safe choice to make, but...I don't know.

[oathshackledbird]

Just think about it, my friend. There is no hurry--no reason to make the decision before you are sure.

[He gives Waver a reassuring smile.]

I will leave the decision to you. If you wish to try it, just let me know when you make the request.

[fionnuisce]

I'll think about it. Would you really be alright with taking a risk like that?

[oathshackledbird]

I will take any risk for you. If it will make you feel safer or more at ease, then do it. So far, I don't think any of the administrators really have a reason to target me. I spoke with Jason once, briefly, during a question and answer session, but I highly doubt he would remember me any more than he would remember any other from that session.

Well, unless this last week with my curse acting up is some kind of sign? I don't know.

[fionnuisce]

Hm... Do you know who usually handles requests like that?

[oathshackledbird]

From what I can tell? It depends on whatever administrator is in charge at the beginning of the month. If what I experienced with my request holds true, if you decided to place the request tomorrow it would sit for the rest of the month and whoever is in charge next month would fill it at the beginning of the month if they can or choose to. Yes, it's a long wait time, but I guess it's better than nothing.

[He laughs a little bitterly.]

And it's probably for the best. Jason is in charge this month anyway. I don't know if I would ask him for anything even if I desperately needed it. He is one who likes to twist requests more than most.

[fionnuisce]

From what I've heard, I wouldn't ask Jason for so much as a spare pencil.

[Sigh. Of course no one could just make it easy, could they?]

Next would likely be...Riki, I think? Assuming what I've been told is accurate. I can't say I've been able to find out much about him, but maybe the absence of 'he's sadistic and this is why' testimonials are a good thing.

[oathshackledbird]

A wise idea. Jason and Ruana seem to be the most hated with Riki being a little more neutral though still not trusted. Most people seem to think Zo is okay because he is so young.

[Diarmuid pauses for a moment, paling slightly.]

Riki was in charge when I arrived in January so he was the one responsible for the experiment that made most of us think we had been in the tower forever. As you know, that was a...difficult one for me. That was also the month when so many levels were added to the tower so quickly. Riki's..thing...for lack of a better word seems to be working with the tower and manipulating the floors and such. The experiment, for all the pain it caused, was just to distract us while they prepared things for all the new floors.

[fionnuisce]

Fantastic.

[Thinking the matter over, Waver put his sunglasses back on his head and crossed his arms.]

...Okay. If you're willing to risk it, so am I. I'll put in a request in the next couple days.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid smiles at him gently.]

Of course I am. Do you really even need to ask? And even if they won't move you, you do know you are welcome in my room at any time right? We only have to sleep in our rooms once every two weeks. It doesn't say where you have to be for the rest of that time.

[fionnuisce]

Now, if I didn't know better I might say you were trying to seduce me.

[Right back at ya, sassyboots.]

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid's gentle smile is suddenly replaced with something much, much closer to a leer. He reaches out with one hand and runs his fingers lightly over Waver's lips.

When he speaks, his voice has picked up a low, breathless tone.]

Oh, believe me. Were I trying to seduce you, you would know.