animus_network | Video; Mourn the Past, Strengthen the Present

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Video; Mourn the Past, Strengthen the Present

Last month, I posted to the Network asking for those who would be willing teach others how to fight--both with and without powers--to contact me. Many of you were willing to share your talents with those who needed them, and I thank you very much for that.

[Diarmuid smiles and bows his head for a moment before continuing.]

However, aside from a few people who I have already helped find teachers, I haven't really heard from anyone who would like to take advantage of the skills that have been offered. I understand that many of you have probably already found teachers amongst those who you know. For those who still might be looking, I thought that I would post a list of those who offered their services so you can take advantage of them should you ever wish to.

I will warn you, though, that most of these people are battle-hardened warriors and do not pull their punches. If you take them up on their offers, please be prepared to work your hardest. They will expect no less and those who you are fighting for deserve no less.

Here is the list. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Since I know most of the people on the list, if you are unsure who you should contact, I will be glad to direct you to a teacher.

Teacher List:

Diarmuid Ua Duibhne: Teaches armed and unarmed combat. Spear and sword focused. Duel-wield specialty. Can teach all levels of fighters.
Mayu: Armed Combat. Axe focus.
Cerberus: Teaches armed and unarmed combat. Knowledgeable with almost all weapons. Specialty in modern weapons.
Saber of White: Teaches armed and unarmed combat. Sword specialty.
Aleph: Teaches armed combat. Knows melee weapons. Sword specialty.
Sir Lancelot du Lac: Teaches armed and unarmed combat. Specialty in non-traditional weapons.
Ken Amada: Teaches armed combat. Specialty in spears and improvising weapons.
Enoch: Skilled in the use of slings. Also skilled in making them.

If anyone would like to be added to the list, please feel free to let me know. Also, let me know if you would like the information listed by your names altered in anyway or wish to be removed from the list. This list isn't a static thing by any means.

On a sadder note, for any of you who knew Mami Tomoe, it has come to my attention that she has been sent home. I know she was close to many people. She left me a cookie recipe and since Riki has given us such a good selection of food this month, I can think of no better way to honor her memory than to bake some of the sweets she made so well. Anyone who would like to join me is welcome, though, I cannot guarantee my cookies will be anywhere near as good as the ones she made. I--

[For a moment it seems like Diarmuid will continue, but after a few seconds, he just shakes his head and ends the feed.]

----

(OOC: If anyone would like to meet up with Diarmuid in the kitchen to try making those cookies, feel free to tag your response with Action, Kitchen and cooking shenanigans can be had!)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Let me see that recipe. Maybe I can offer some kind of help.

[Baking, alchemy, same difference.]

Of course.

[Diarmuid turns back to the counter to grab the recipe and manages to knock a measuring cup with some flour in it onto the floor.]

Again? What does the flour have against me? Here.

[He holds the slightly flour-covered recipe out to Waver.]

Does...bad luck apply to cooking too? I didn't have so much of a problem back home...

I would assume you're a little tangled up in modern cooking practices.

[Waver glanced over the recipe--sure enough, it didn't seem that different from basic chemistry. Shrugging off his jacket, the magus started measuring out the flour and sugar again--had Diarmuid really been about to use twice what was necessary? If that had been the case, Waver didn't comment on it.]

Here--you should put these together in that bowl with two eggs, to start.

[SCIENCE.]

Edited 2013-09-17 00:13 (UTC)

The eggs yes... Right...

[Waver's first statement goes unanswered. The mess makes an answer pretty unnecessary just as the mess in the sink makes clear the reason behind Diarmuid's hesitation concerning the eggs.]

The shells...are not suppose to be in the bowl. I am having a issue with this...

[Waver laughed softly at that, but didn't comment on that either. Far be it from him to criticize anyone that made an effort at what they were doing.]

You were probably breaking them too hard. [He reached over and tapped the eggs on the counter, cracking and breaking them into the bowl.]

There. How's that?

[Diarmuid watches Waver with an expression that makes it seem like Waver has just done the most amazing trick ever.

Considering Diarmuid had crushed almost a dozen eggs trying, it kind of is.]

How... You make it look so easy...

I'm an alchemist; that can be pretty delicate work. Precise measurements, glass instruments, that manner of thing. Caution in large amounts is never a bad thing when it comes to that. [A shrug.]

Diarmuid... While we're working on this, I think there might be something we should probably discuss.

[The amused embarrassment suddenly disappears off Diarmuid's face, and he pales. Considering the newly arrived servant Diarmuid ran into not long ago, he can guess exactly what Waver wants to discuss.]

The new Lancer... The one whose lover...

[He looks down and falls silent, unable to finish the sentence.]

...it's something of an awkward situation, that goes without saying.

[That sense of guilt Waver had experience when talking to Karna started to resurface, manifesting in an uncertain frown.]

I don't have any doubt he'll be willing to cooperate with us, but are you alright with that?

Is it really me you should be asking? It's a version of you who is his lover, not me. This is your choice.

[Diarmuid tries to give Waver a confident look, but it really comes off unsure instead. He seems to realize this and quickly looks away]

If you are okay with it, then I will push away my...foolish concerns. I believe him to be a good man. One who wishes more than anything to return to the one he loves. You...are not he no matter how much he may wish you were.

You're-... [Waver hesitated, wondering why he was honestly surprised at this reaction. Shouldn't he have expected it? Certainly he knew Diarmuid well enough to have guessed such a response was likely, and yet it still managed to catch him off guard.]

Are you...jealous?

I...

[Diarmuid's head bows in shame and he swallows hard. He should not be jealous. There is no reason. And yet..]

Yes.

[The word is barely whispered. As much as he hates to admit not being able to control his emotions better, Diarmuid isn't going to lie either.]

[Waver's response didn't come immediately; he had to consider how would be the best way to articulate something that was to him as obvious as 'the sky is blue'.]

[After thinking over how to approach the matter, he decided the direct option would be simplest. With an exasperated sigh, he reached over to brush some lingering flour and butter off Diarmuid's face.]

You idiot. [His hand lingered there as he spoke plainly.] It's true that I am concerned about him, and it's true that I do feel some measure of obligation to help him however I can. On top of that, I don't doubt he'll be an immeasurably valuable ally.

But when it comes to us, that doesn't change anything. I'm hardly about to invalidate everything I've ever said to you because of this.

[Diarmuid doesn't speak right away. Instead, he just leans into the touch. Logically, Waver's words make sense, but the things causing Diarmuid's jealousy and worry are just about as far from logic as one can get.]

Why?

[His eyes squeeze shut and his next words twist with a sudden self-doubt that has been absent from him for quite a while.]

Why would you want to stay with someone as lacking as I obviously am? All of the others must have something that I don't because they got to be happy. He even got to stay with his version of you so that Waver didn't have to spend ten years alone!

I'm obviously worthless. I couldn't even save Edgeworth from a pack of stupid monsters. It's only a matter of time until I fail you too...

Stop. I won't stand for anyone speaking poorly of you, even less so when you're the one doing it.

I don't care, Diarmuid. Whatever happened to another Waver Velvet in another world, that has nothing to do with me. I am myself--not the one that contracted Iskander, Karna, or any number of other Servants in any number of other worlds. Maybe I was a little jealous at the idea of not spending that time alone, but it doesn't matter. What's done is done, and it wasn't his fault that we lost.

If you should ever fail me, I'll forgive you and be grateful you cared to try. That's all there is to it. Do you think I want someone flawless and infallible as my partner? Of course not--someone like that could never exist and still be any measure of human. You and I are flawed, and those flaws are what make you yourself. That is what matters to me more than having some unfailing Servant that never falters.

[Tears wet the corners of his eyes, but oddly enough Diarmuid is smiling. Waver's words are like a soothing balm over his heart--a warmth that pushes back and silences his self-doubt.

Will there ever come a time when Waver can't do this for him? Diarmuid certainly hopes not.]

Thank you. I'm sorry. This coming so close after I failed to protect Edgeworth... And then to meet him--Karna, is that his name? He didn't tell me. To meet him and find out he had been a lover to his version of you and for so long...

[Diarmuid shakes his head.]

I know those flaws are part of being human, but I am a fool who always expects more from himself. And more. And more. It's foolish, but no matter how I try I just can't make myself stop.

This...is changing the topic a little, but can I ask you something?

Don't apologize, you haven't done anything wrong.

[Waver dropped his hand to Diarmuid's shoulder, managing a small smile.]

You already know you can, Diarmuid. Ask me whatever you like.

I shouldn't ask.

[Diarmuid's smile turns embarrassed.]

But I am going to anyway because now that it has occurred to me, I will wonder about it until I ask. Karna...feels different than a normal servant. I cannot say why, but he does. He was with his Waver for so long...

Did his Waver wish him into a true incarnation? Do you think...you might have done that for your Diarmuid if you had won?

That does seem to be the case; he told me as much himself.

[Waver recalled the other Servant's words; according to Karna, that wish had come at one hell of a price.]

...Assuming the Grail wasn't a mess and I knew for certain that it wasn't? I likely would, yes. It isn't as though I had anything else worth wishing for.

Good...I am sure he would have wanted to stay with you just like I do.

[Diarmuid's words are soft. The answer is the one he was hoping to hear since he knows nothing of the price Karna and his Waver paid for their wish, but at the same time that foolish jealously rears it head again at the thought of another person being with this Waver instead of him.

Even if that other person is a version of himself.]

Karna didn't tell me a lot of details and I didn't press him because he was so upset. I think too that I might have made a bit of a mistake.

[He shuts his eyes for a moment and shakes his head.]

When he asked about you, of course he asked what servant you summoned. I think it unnerved him to know that the you here summoned someone besides him and that someone was a version of me.

Obviously I don't know him at all, but I wouldn't be surprised if he felt some measure of jealousy as well.

[Waver crossed his arms and shrugged, attempting to look indifferent.]

To tell you the truth, I feel a little guilty and I'm not all that certain why. It's as though I'm actively hurting him by not being the right version of myself--which I suppose I could understand.

[For a moment, Waver's words cause Diarmuid's jealousy to spike again, but it only lasts a few seconds because he very violently shoves the thoughts away.]

It's because you are kind, Waver, and you don't like failing. I'm not your Diarmuid and yet you took me in. However, with him it's not so easy because of how close he is to his Waver. He doesn't want you. He wants him.

I...think I can understand how he feels. I would feel the same if you were taken away and then another version of you came here. It would hurt to see someone so similar to the one I cared about and have it not be him. You always say I'm not a replacement for your Diarmuid and I wouldn't want a replacement for you. He is the same way.

But that isn't a failing on your part and I doubt he would want you to think that way. It's just that his pain is very fresh right now and so he cannot say it. You've done nothing wrong. Stop feeling bad for it.

...You're right, I suppose. I do want to help, but there's not all that much I can really do in this case. With you, it's...different. You were like me from the start; we didn't have anyone, so of course we started clinging to each other like idiots. I'm just worried about him. [Waver shook his head, sighing.]

At any rate he seems intent on working with me, and I can't see that hurting much of anything. I'm not one to refuse help in circumstances this dire, so try to cooperate with him.

[Pausing to think for a second, Waver rolled his eyes with an amused laugh that sounded a little derisive.]

Can you imagine? A world where I'm capable of falling in love with someone...now that might just be the first thing I've had legitimate trouble believing. It's absurd, right?

Edited (i accidentally a word) 2013-09-17 12:16 (UTC)

[Something squeezes painfully in Diarmuid's chest at those words. His eyes narrow angrily, though he's not sure if he is angry at himself or Waver.]

What is so absurd about it? Just because you spent ten years separating yourself from people doesn't mean you aren't capable of falling in love! I questioned it the first time you said that and I question it now. Love is not something so easily controlled!

[He stops himself, suddenly embarrassed by how forceful he's being. Still, this is something he feels strongly about.]

You might not recognize it now. Love is like that, but when the time is right, I am sure you will know...

Besides, everyone deserves the chance to know love. It's a wonderful feeling, painful moments and all.

[Waver had been trying to laugh off an awkward subject, so Diarmuid's forceful insistence genuinely caught him off guard.]

...I know it's not going to happen. [He shrugged, turning away to hide a conflicted expression under the pretense of measuring everything else they were going to need.] I'm not the type to go chasing after some nonsensical sentiment. Certainly not when I have more important matters to devote my attention to, both here and in the Clock Tower.

Besides that, even if I did care enough about such a sentiment to make an attempt, I highly doubt I would be much of a worthwhile partner. So there's really no point in contemplating the hypothetical of whether or not I can or should experience it.

Edited (I CAN'T SPELL EITHER) 2013-09-17 21:17 (UTC)

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