animus_network | Once the Honeymoon is Over... [Video]

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Once the Honeymoon is Over... [Video]

[The face on the camera is tired, the look in Diarmuid's eyes making it clear that the source of his weariness isn't physical, but mental and emotional as it so often has been since he arrived here.]

Has anyone see my brother? Ah...you probaly know him better as Lancer. I know he is still in the tower because his belongings are here and his name is still on the door, but I cannot find him anywhere and I have looked. Those who know my skills know quickly I can do that.

I am worried because I just remembered something he said to Jason a while back. He said he would volunteer for his next experiement and since this is Jason's month in charge and so many others have gone missing, I fear for what that means for him.

If anyone has seen him in the last few days, will you please let me know?

[Diarmuid pauses a moment, suddenly looking a lot more uneasy.]

Also, I want to apologize to all the people who were affected by my curse about week ago or got caught up in everything that was going on. For those who don't know, I carry a curse that forces the women who see my face to fall in love with me. It has been mostly inactive in this place but for some reason during the end of March and the beginning of April it flared back to life affecting both men and women. Unfortunately, I have never been able to tell when it is active and when it is not so far too many people were affected before I knew what was going on.

I...do not know why this happened. It has gone inactive again and I think by this time all those affected should have had the effects wear off. If not, take the knowledge that your strange feelings are caused by something outside of you and focus on that...

[Suddenly, he turns away from the screen as if someone has tugged on his arm, which they have. When he speaks his voice is quieter and directed at whoever is standing just off camera.]

Tony, just a moment, okay? I will play with you then.

[Diarmuid turns back to the camera, quiet for a moment as if he is collecting his thoughts and then continues where he left off.]

Focusing on the fact that your feelings are not your own will help you overcome the effects sooner. It is not something that worked that well during my first life, but there is a very strong pattern of it working here...

[There is a sudden scuffling behind Diarmuid and he is yanked away from the camera. The scuffling continues as his voice drifts back toward the terminal.]

Tony! Tony wait! I'm not done...

Gah! Does anyone know how to stop an alien abduction?

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(OOC: Diarmuid's responses will come a few hours later when he has given Tony the attention that the little gray alien seems to want so badly.)

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[Diarmuid nods and follows him into the room, taking a seat on the bed.]

If you want me to start at the beginning, I should probably start back when I broke down the first time after my master betrayed me. When I realized what had happened something in me broke, and when I could think again I found I was already screaming, ranting at the world, cursing everyone who was anywhere nearby. Blood...blood was everywhere. And it was all mine. Coming from my eyes, coming...

[He stops to take a deep breath to steady his voice before continuing.]

It was like it was someone else was screaming with something that was barely my voice. I was there, but I couldn't control anything. I couldn't stop myself from saying those horrible things and the rage and hatred... It was so strong, so frightening to me. Swirling around me, drowning me, keeping me from being able to do anything about what was going on.

And then it was over and I was here, but that rage and hate that I had never felt before? That rage and hate that I had no idea how to control? It was still there and screaming for attention. Somehow I managed to push it back, but when I saw your body it all broke loose again...

[A confused, scared gaze meets Waver's.]

I don't know what happened. I saw your body and I felt something break. I felt that separation like what happened before start, but then everything is just gone. I don't remember anything else until I woke up covered in blood in the bed in my room. I don't know how I got there or even whose blood was on me. There was a lot on my face--I was probably crying blood again--but no amount of blood tears would be enough to account for all that was on me...

[He stops then, pressing a hand to his suddenly pale face. When Diarmuid finally speaks again, his voice is a lot shakier.]

I-I have to stop now. I'm starting to feel sick again. What happened? What did I do that is causing me to react so badly? What did I do?

...I don't know.

[Waver put his arms around Lancer's shoulders again, lightly running a hand through his hair.]

I'm sorry, Diarmuid. I didn't realize just how much you were suffering--no, I couldn't have even begun to guess at it. Just listen to me: even the best of us get angry. And someone like you, who was never anything but kind and patient? I'd be worried if you didn't have a breaking point.

[Diarmuid shakes his head. There is part of him that feels so ashamed right now that it wants to run--to get as far away from Waver as he can because he doesn't deserve the comfort the man's touch brings--but there is a bigger part of him that just wants to stay there and hide in the safety of his master's--his friend's--arms.]

It's not your fault for not noticing. Please don't blame yourself. You should remember how I like to hide things and try to make it look like I'm okay even if I'm falling apart inside.

Besides, a knight shouldn't feel those things. They are not like everyone else. They are suppose to be better--suppose to be the ones who give up those things so that others can feel them. But...we both know I'm not what I used to be. I have been trying to find out what I am now, but it's a long journey and things keep happening that make me second guess what I have decided.

[He pauses for a moment, and then adds quietly.]

Ah...but we are all the same here, aren't we? We are all technically dead, our souls taken and put into these false forms. Why can't I make myself believe that? It would make things so much easier...

Even a knight has to be human, Diarmuid. Any human would feel anger, hatred, and even sadness. You're much too kind a person to kill off all of that, even for the sake of others.

I haven't thought too hard about what we are in a technical sense. Dead or alive, we still have hearts and emotions. That's the part that really matters, isn't it?

[Diarmuid nods and sits back so he can look Waver in the face again.]

I know that is true. I just...I can't make myself believe it. Someone told me that people get into ruts and it is very hard to break them when they need to change their ways of acting or thinking. I am trying to break out of my ruts, but it's so hard and every time I think I'm getting somewhere it seems like I end up right back where I began.

[He shuts his eyes and sighs.]

I am human. That is all I need to be. If I could just break the rut that makes me think otherwise I think I would be taking a huge step forward.

Tell me how I can help you. Anything you need from me, you only have to ask--no matter what it is, I'll do it.

If I knew what I needed, I think things would be so much easier.

[Diarmuid opens his eyes and gives Waver a sad smile.]

Just keep doing what you are doing. You already help me more than you know. And if I ever need something more, I will be sure to say something.

I just-...I'm sorry. I hate seeing you like this and knowing there's nothing I can really do about it.

[Diarmuid reaches out and tweaks Waver's nose.]

Did I not just say you are doing a lot? I don't think you realize how much just having you around steadies me. Even when you aren't physically here, I can shut my eyes and find you through our contract now. It is especially useful when I have those moments that I feel like I am all alone even when I'm not. I can't deny that feeling being there no matter now hard I might try.

H-hey--!

[He gave Diarmuid a look oddly like pouting, possibly trying to cover up how uncertain he still felt.]

I just feel as though I should be able to do something more substantial.

[Diarmuid can't help but smile a little at the look on Waver's face.]

Well then, what do you feel like you should be doing, my friend? Already you provide me emotional support, you let me stay in this room when I don't feel like I can stay in my own, and you listen to my worries no matter how foolish they are. And those are just a few of the things you do.

It genuinely worries me that you think basic human decency is something special.

Think of what I have been through, my friend.

[Diarmuid gives him a sad smile.]

Think of how many times I have been abandoned and betrayed. I guess it's just that I don't expect much of anything from anyone anymore.

[He looks away, ashamed.]

It's easier to avoid getting hurt that way.

...Sorry. I wasn't really thinking when I said that. It's difficult to even comprehend how much worse this is than trying to talk to you back home was.

Don't take that as an insult, it's just...I'm trying to figure out how I'm supposed to approach all this.

[Diarmuid shakes his head.]

I know you meant no insult. There is no need to apologize.

[He leans forward and puts his arms around the other man.]

You are doing just fine. Don't worry so much. We will muddle though this together.

[Sighing, Waver put his arms around Diarmuid and leaned his head on the knight's shoulder.]

...I want to know how I'm supposed to help you.

I don't know... I wish I knew another answer to give you besides what I already have, but I don't.

[Diarmuid rests his head gently against his friend's.]

Unless you know a magic spell that will fix things? I don't suppose they ever taught you something that useful did they?

[It's mostly a joke, but...]

Heh--I'm afraid I don't kn-...

[Waver stopped abruptly, as though a thought presented itself midsentence.]

...You said you have trouble with nightmares, right?

[Diarmuid nods, sitting back so that he can look at Waver.]

Yes, I have had them ever since I arrived. It's been confusing since servants aren't suppose to be able to dream. I don't know if it is something to do with what the tower has done to us or if it is even right to call them dreams since they are actually just twisted versions of my own memories, but they are there and not something I can just ignore.

Why do you ask?

Well, if it's something like that there are a couple things I can do. One, I can cast a spell for dreamless sleep on you every night. I used to use it on myself all the time, so I know it works. Two, in the event that fails I could just keep our spirit link open. I can't say my own memories are pleasant, but they're better than most nightmares.

[Diarmuid shakes his head, bowing it slightly.]

I hate to bother you with such a thing, and my magic resistance is pretty high. I don't know if your spell would work... No, actually it probably would. My brother spelled me to sleep once. It was during that messed up event back in January, but I don't know why it wouldn't work now as well. But I had to be in bed for him to cast it. Does this mean you are inviting me to stay in your room until we find out about that request?

[He smiles teasingly at Waver for a moment before falling more serious.]

The second method I am not so comfortable with. That link...it can go both ways. I cannot risk you seeing the things I have been seeing. They are just too horrible...

If...if you wanted to, I wouldn't mind.

[Waver paused, thinking the matter over for a moment.]

You probably have a point--I can't argue that, but it still seems wrong for me not to try everything I have available.

[Diarmuid lightly squeezes Waver's shoulder.]

It will be all right. Lets try the spell first and if it doesn't work, then we can try the link, okay? Besides, that way if one thing helps we will know which it is instead of having to guess.

And if it doesn't bother you for me to stay here more, I will. No offense to your ability to take care of yourself, but with so many people going missing, I would really rather keep an eye on you as much as I can. My brother being missing is bad enough. If you went missing too...

It doesn't bother me. Considering the kind of place this is, I'd feel much better if I knew where you were as much as possible. Not to mention there's obvious safety in numbers.

Yes, I would be worried even if this wasn't a Jason month. It being so just makes things all that much worse.

[Diarmuid shuts his eyes for a moment, pushing away the ball of dread forming in his stomach.]

I have a terrible feeling that I will need that sleep spell when this is all over...

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