☿ // 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

[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.

[fionnuisce]

Ah--

[Waver's shoulders visibly stiffened, green eyes widened by a mixture of confusion and astonishment. Coherent thought gave way to something much more like a hyperspeed litany of 'ohmygodwhatthehellisgoingon']

D-Diarmuid-...

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid leans forward, letting his hand drop away so that he can bring his lips closer. He doesn't kiss the other man, but he is close enough his breath will caress Waver's lips as he speaks.]

So, what do you think? Am I seducing you now?

[fionnuisce]

I...I- [Waver's voice faltered, bright color rapidly returning to his face as he tried to put together a sentence.]

I don't know what you're doing, but I...probably wouldn't complain too much if you kissed me right now. If you're seducing me, I'd say you might be doing a good job of it.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid really has to stop and think about if he wants kiss him or not. After all, he had just been joking when he started this, but at the same time, would this not be a good way to see if what they feel really is love?

Finally, he brings a hand up weaving it into Waver's hair so that he can cradle the man's head. There are many ways to kiss from the soul-stealing kisses traded during the heat of passion to the gentle caresses given by a parent to a scared child. The kiss he gives Waver falls somewhere in between--a touch that doesn't demand anything, but offers the chance to get to know more. When he finally pulls back, it's not all that far.]

Silly Magus. Of course, I'm good at it. Don't you know that the members of the Fianna were good at everything?

[fionnuisce]

[Waver could honestly say he didn't expect Diarmuid to do it. Even saying as much felt like it had been a mistake, as though perhaps that was the kind of passing thought best gone ignored.]

[So when the knight actually did close the distance between them, the lecturer completely froze. He was one who detested being this close to those he didn't trust, and only trusted one person. This was an utterly new and momentarily disconcerting experience, and yet...it wasn't really that bad.]

...how foolish of me. I'd almost forgotten.

[Idly, Waver noted he felt lightheaded. Strange; maybe there were some aftereffects of dying after all?]

[oathshackledbird]

And I must be slipping.

[A smirk curls the corner of Diarmuid's mouth as he sits back to give Waver some space. He doesn't remove his hand completely from the other man's hair though. Instead, he just lets it slip down to rest against Waver's shoulder, hair still woven between his fingers.]

If you can still so clearly speak after a kiss, that is. Even a gentle one such as that was.

[fionnuisce]

I guess I don't really know how to react to this kind of thing. It's not as if I make a habit of-...what I mean to say is...er...

[He glanced away, slightly uneasy.]

...That was my first.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid's hand moves from its place on Waver's shoulder back to the man's head so he can turn it toward him.]

Hey, no hiding remember? It's just a shame you didn't tell me so I could make sure I did well enough so you would be convinced to come looking for another.

[He leans back in close to Waver.]

So what do you say? Do I get to try again?

[fionnuisce]

W-well...as a researcher I would say the correct approach would be to repeat one's experiment enough to find conclusive results, so...if you would like to try again, by all means go ahead.

[oathshackledbird]

Ah, well if it's in the name of science, how can I deny you?

[Diarmuid's smirk widens not that Waver really gets a chance to see it as the servant leans in and kisses him again. This is no gentle kiss like before. This one is much more demanding and passionate. Diarmuid's tongue flicks out to trace the other man's lips pressing lightly against them as if it's asking for the chance to explore more.]

[fionnuisce]

[He momentarily froze up again, shoulders going rigid and hands fidgeting slightly--oh my god what the hell do I do here and where exactly do my hands go--before very cautiously resting a hand on Diarmuid's arm and opening his mouth slightly in response. That was the right thing to do, wasn't it? Damn it, why didn't someone write a textbook on this sort of thing? They'd make millions off awkward idiots like him.]

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid smiles into the kiss, his tongue slipping into Waver's open mouth. At the same time he's exploring the new area, his hands help Waver a bit with his dilemma by guiding the one hand not settled on his arm to rest on his waist.

Honestly, this is nice even if his friend doesn't know exactly what he's doing. What better way to learn?

A few moments later, Diarmuid reluctantly pulls away, though he pauses to drop a quick kiss on the tip of Waver's nose as he goes.]

So, what's the verdict, My Dear Scientist? Give me your honest opinion now. Was that enough incentive to keep trying?

[fionnuisce]

I-...I don't really...

[Waver leaned his head on Diarmuid's shoulder, seeming annoyed at a) the bright red color his face was turning and b) his inability to form words.]

...I feel a little disoriented. A side effect of resurrection, surely. [Of course.] Other than that, I can't really say I know how to articulate my opinion. It wasn't terrible--in fact it was rather nice, I think.