animus_network | 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!)

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[He takes a looks at it.]

Looks a little different from the one I picked up in February. Then again, those were provided by the Tower.

[He places the recipe down on a clear corner of a counter.]

I bet these ones are gonna taste better than the last batch I made. If only because someone actually took time writing a recipe of their own.

I can't say for sure, but it is probably something she remembered from her world. She really liked baking.

[He smiles fondly.]

I am sure she put a lot of love into that recipe. It's terrible...she's going to die once her world is restored. She was only moments from death when she was brought here and if we fix everything to how it was before...

It's not right! Why couldn't she have stayed so she could make the choice to go back or not? She has so much left to give!

[He shakes his head.]

I-I don't know. It's just...how this place works. It's too cruel!

[Diarmuid starts slightly. He hadn't expected his brother to react quite so strongly, but then again, it makes perfect sense.]

Yes...but maybe not all is lost. She knows what will happen now. Mami might not have a lot of time, but even a little bit of time can change a lot when you know what is going to happen. I have to believe she will find a way. She's a fighter. She won't give up.

[He nods.]

She's your daughter, isn't she? So if anything, she should have her father's courage. I think she'll be as much of a hero as you are and fight to meet destiny on her own terms.

She was courageous long before she met me. A hero too.

[Diarmuid gives his brother a grateful look.]

Thank you.

Then she shouldn't have any problems.

[He just hopes all his hopes and all Diarmuid's hopes aren't just wishful thinking.]

What of the rest of your children?

[Diarmuid gives him a curious look.]

What do you mean my other children? They are doing okay as far as I can tell. Even Ryoji. He's doing amazingly well for having been alone on his world for so long. Have you had the chance to talk to him since he returned?

Well, you do adopt so many. I still need to meet them all and congratulate them on finding such a good dad.

And yeah, I've talked to him. He seems more happy to be back than sad he was away.

[Diarmuid blushes, ducking his head slightly.]

I just...didn't get to do everything with my own children. That I get to do those things with the ones I have here is a gift I will never forget.

[He falls quiet for a moment and shakes his head.]

I am happy Ryoji seems to be doing so well, but at the same time I worry he is hiding things just so I won't worry.

Isn't that what all of us do in this place? Hide things so their friends won't worry. Maybe he'll tell you things when he's ready. Or when he thinks you're ready.

It is...but that doesn't mean I like it.

[Diarmuid's lips press into a frown.]

I don't want him or anyone else to feel like they have to hide anything for me because it might bother or upset me. I'm not made of glass...

I know.

[Lancer looks just a little bit embarrassed. He knows that Diarmuid is a grown man and a hero. And yet he, like so many others, knows about Diarmuid's tragic life and thus hides matters from Diarmuid to avoid adding to the other man's grief.]

I'll go talk to him. Try to tell him to talk about it to you if not me.

Thank you.

[The answer doesn't completely please Diarmuid since he knows people hide things from him because they don't want to worry or upset him anymore than he already is. However, how can he help them if he doesn't know what is going on?]

As long as he is talking to someone instead of keeping it all inside that is the important thing.

...You too, Bro. If you've got things on your mind, find someone to talk to.

[Diarmuid smiles at his brother gently.]

Don't worry, I will. I learned my lesson about keeping things inside. It doesn't help anyone and most certainly not me.

Alright, bro.

...Is it me, or do these cookies keep getting delayed?

Yes, so it seems.

[Diarmuid looks at the mess and sighs.]

Perhaps it's a sign that we should just clean things up and try again tomorrow. What do you say?

Fine by me. Tomorrow then.

Yes, tomorrow.

[Diarmuid gives his brother a half-hopeful, half-worried expression.]

You are going to help me clean up this mess, right? Please?

Of course. I wouldn't leave you do deal with all this alone. And I did crack a couple of the eggs.

Thanks, brother. I appreciate it.

[Diarmuid gives Cu Chulainn a grateful look and the starts on the long task of cleaning up the mess he made.

For now the ingredients have won, but tomorrow is another day...]

Video; Mourn the Past, Strengthen the Present

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fade to black now?

fade to black now?

Sure!

Re: Sure!

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