Video; Preparing for the Worst, Hoping...

[oathshackledbird]

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...

Comments

video

[puppy_lancer]

Making weapons, huh? Guess I could give it a try.

[No guarantees on the workshop being in one piece afterwards, though.]

video

[oathshackledbird]

Of course, you are always welcome.

[Diarmuid smiles widely at his brother.]

I am still far from being an expert, but I have learned a few things. And I haven't destroyed the workshop yet, so I must be doing something right. I will be glad to teach you what I've learned.

Though, wouldn't you be more comfortable teaching people how to fight?

Re: video

[puppy_lancer]

What sort of teaching are we talking about? I'm better with doing hands on stuff.

[He's not explaining why a certain something had to be done a certain way. In fact, he works best with teaching by example and then letting students grasp the details on their own.]

[ text ]

[immortalia]

I would be able to provide my assistance with training individuals. I have had years of combat experience and would not mind showing you my skills should you like.

Additionally, I have a few weapons I can use, too. They rely on my power supply, so they are more or less electrical based and not magic.

Video (Don't mind him. He doesn't use the Net much, so he doesn't tend to change response form.)

[oathshackledbird]

Your help will be greatly welcome if you are as skilled as you say. Do you happen to have a specialty?

[Diarmuid pauses a moment, looking slightly concerned, before continuing.]

The weapons that rely on your power supply....using them doesn't put you own ability to function at risk, does it? I would hate to ask you to put yourself at risk for this when there are other options.

[She's fortunate that he has met a couple of robots now, so her mention of a power source doesn't confuse him as much as it might have otherwise.]

[ video ] (s'all good!)

[immortalia]

I have been fighting ever since my motor skills were one-hundred percent developed. I prefer ranged combat, but I do not mind melee.

[ Sertoria smiles and shakes her head slightly. ]

I store my weapons inside of me and they are able to use the energy I was built to have. It would not exhaust me too much, and if it does, I can always recharge at the infirmary.

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[axeforasong]

[so how much were you expecting a response from a tiny 13~ year old girl twirling an axe?]

Can train people with axe. Is useful thing!

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[oathshackledbird]

[Unfortunately, he's been in the Tower eight months now. Little surprises him anymore.]

They are useful and something I am not skilled with myself. May I ask your name, Lady?

[axeforasong]

Mayu! I'm new!

[also, keywords]

[savedbyasong]

[Shion was surprised whilst checking the network during his working hours to find a message addressed to him, he saw Xion's name as well. And two others he didn't recognise.]

Hello... [He blinked at the screen as it began recording.] I'm Shion, it is very nice to hear from you Diarmuid, Hei mentioned you in his letter to me and Xion as well, but as you say the last two months have not been kind.

[This is awkward, and remembering Hei and people who were to watch over him made him remember Elena, and Reno...]

[oathshackledbird]

Thank you for contacting me, Shion. Even if these last few months have been terrible, it shouldn't have kept me from such an important duty.

[Diarmuid bows his head to the young man again.]

Hei sent you and Xion letters that mentioned me? I was not aware of that, but knowing Hei I should not be so surprised. It seems like he cared about you all and wished you to be well taken care of if something happened to him.

[savedbyasong]

Yes, he mentioned your name and said that we could contact you if we needed to. [He looked down] I didn't know him all that well actually, I only knew him properly for the last month he was here...

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[greyerrant]

I taught neophytes to fight with every weapon available to the Imperium of Man in the galaxy for 50 years. I suspect I might be of some help.

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[oathshackledbird]

You could likely teach us all quite a bit with experience like that.

[Diarmuid bows his head respectfully.]

Does that broad range of weapon skills include more modern forms of weapons like firearms? I know they are less common here than older forms of weaponry, but I know they are some people's preferred method of defense. Unfortunately, they are not something I know anything about. Ranged weapons in general are an area I don't have as much experience in.

Re: video

[greyerrant]

Yes. I can teach people to be proficient from everything from a stub-pistol to a lascannon, or other crew-served pieces. About the only thing I can't teach are Rapier Laser destroyers, because those require a techmarine.

[keybearer]

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.]

[oathshackledbird]

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?

[video]

[fionnuisce]

...Oh, good lord.

[Sigh.]

Would it make you feel better if I went as well?

Video; Locked

[oathshackledbird]

Would I sound like a complete baby if I said yes?

[Diarmuid laughs, though the laugh is nervous.]

But, no. I won't ask that of you. Just tell me it is okay for me to go. They are both good people and I want them to be happy. I want to be able to share in that celebration of happiness since they were kind enough to ask me...

[no_longer_a_king]

I already promised I would help when you began this. Please count me in, Diarmuid.

[oathshackledbird]

You are most certainly counted and your experience welcome.

[Diarmuid smiles and respectfully bows his head to her.]

Do you have a preference when it comes to class size?

video

[warriorscribe]

I can make slings and gather stones for ammunition, if you would like. The materials tend to be readily available.

*A cloth cradle isn't always best, and the rope isn't always of highest quality, but most things available in the workshop on any given day could be worked into slings with effort.*

video

[oathshackledbird]

Any weapons are welcome. Just because they are simple doesn't make them ineffective. All things considered, simple to make and arm is probably more useful than anything else around here.

[Diarmuid knows of this talent of Enoch's because Yotsuba had been so excited to tell him about the sling the man had made for her. He might not have approved of arming a girl so young back then, but considering how hard it has been to get people to watch her as she needs to be watched, Diarmuid finds himself more accepting of the idea now. If someone can't be around to watch her all the time, she needs to have a way to protect herself and a ranged weapon is the best option for that.]

Do you happen to know much about other kinds of ranged weapons? I am thinking bows specifically, but anything is welcome. Some people are just not suited to fight up close with monsters and such, but they still want to fight and defend themselves.

[chevalier_mal_fet]

I have given my word on this matter twice before, Diarmuid ua Duibhne.
My promise has not altered.

I would be willing to instruct the able in both armed and unarmed combat.
[And now, for something completely different, Lancelot will reveal an Ability.]

I have proficiency with any Weapon that comes to my Hand. Even such as I have no knowledge of.

[oathshackledbird]

Your offer is very happily accepted. Since you have offered to help before, would you happen to know the names of any others who also offered their help before but haven't spoken here? I haven't heard from a lot of people who need teachers yet, but if nothing else, I can put together a list of all those who have offered to teach so that anyone who goes looking later will know who they can trust to help.

[Diarmuid pauses when Lancelot mentions his talent, eyes widening in surprise before that look of surprise is replaced by one of understanding.]

That explains so much about how you fought in in the War. Do you remember how to use those weapons if your powers are cut off? Or is it all reliant on your power being active?

And, I realize this nothing to do with the topic at hand, but I must ask how you, your master and Lady Claudia are doing. As well as can be expected, I hope.