[Video/Action] Bittersweet the Bonds of the Heart

[oathshackledbird]

[Losing Mami, who he viewed as an adopted daughter, last month had been hard, but Diarmuid had worked his way through his grief by focusing on the happy times they had spent together.  However, when three more people he is close to are sent home--two of which he cares for like his own children--those happy memories become a source of pain instead of a route passed the grief.

When he appears on the Network, Diarmuid looks more lost and empty than he has in a long time.]

Usually, when I address everyone, I am asking for help on a project that will benefit the whole Tower.  Today, I am asking for help on a more personal level.

How does one handle losing a child?  Not just one, but several over a short period of time?  Nothing I try seems to work, and I am...

[His voice trails off here, shaking and uncertain.  A short time later, the feed ends.]

Action:

[After making his post, Diarmuid can be found wandering the Tower almost as if he hopes one of the floors might give him the answers he seeks.  There are some specific prompts below, but feel free to find him elsewhere.]

Room 4-16:

[A handmade wooden box sits on the bed next to Diarmuid.  Once it held chocolates, now it holds letters.  Several written in a childish hand are sitting on the top, but what Diarmuid is looking at is a pair of drawings that are usually set up near his bed on the nightstand.

He's not crying...  He's not...]

Floor 48 (The Graveyard):

[Rabbit would probably scold Diarmuid for singing what is suppose to be a funny song in such a sad voice, but it's hard to be happy when he is singing the song alone to the gravestone of the person who was suppose to be singing it with him.  He and Yotsuba had promised to get together to sing Rabbit's songs as a way of honoring their friend's memory...

Now that is never going to happen in any way other than this.]

Floor 3 (The Library):

[There is ink smudged on his cheek and his arm, but Diarmuid doesn't notice.  On the surface, he's focused on printing more copies of the Tower Guide to put out for those who might want them, but really he's in the Library for a very different reason.  Tohko was always here and it's like he feels spending time here will help him find her again--find that cheerful voice who had so often redirected him when he didn't know what to do next.  He almost expects to look up and see her there, smiling and ready to offer her help with what he's working on.

Unfortunately, no matter how long he waits, that will not happen.]

Floor 28 (The Music Room):

[Before even his brother, Labrys had been the first family Diarmuid had in this place.  Their bond created during the January experiment, afterward they had talked about learning to play an instrument together, but life in the Tower and his indecisiveness had kept them from doing so.  Now, as his hands run over the piano he had once heard her picking a tune out on, the sound of his grief blocks any music the instrument might make.

How is it that one who once lived his life with no regrets has so many of them now?]

Comments

[oathshackledbird]

Do you think she will be worse this month than the others when she is in charge?

[An uncertain look crosses Diarmuid's face.]

Riki said he would try to get her to take an easy on us after what happened...

[puppy_lancer]

It's a modern holiday that's like a late version of Samhain. And she really likes it. Last time, she was pretty eager to play her game.

[oathshackledbird]

The one with the costumes, right? I've heard about it...

[And not good things, but then again what good ever came of Ruana's games?]

Do you think she will try something like that again?

[puppy_lancer]

Either that, or something worse, since she might be angry about everything we've done.

[oathshackledbird]

Or perhaps, there will be more explosions and she won't have a chance to do anything.

[Diarmuid frowns as he thinks about that.]

What can be causing them? They have happened two months in a row now. That can't be coincidental...

[puppy_lancer]

I don't know. Maybe it has something to do with the power outages?

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid shakes his head.]

Who knows. The Administrators seems as in the dark as we are. That...isn't a good feeling. What if they aren't the real enemy in the end? What if there is something else out there?

[puppy_lancer]

One step at a time, Bro. We regroup and beat up the real enemy when they show. That's all.

[oathshackledbird]

Of course, you are right.

[Diarmuid shuts his eyes for a moment.]

I am borrowing trouble. One step at a time. It is all we can do.

[puppy_lancer]

And the very first step is to keep you safe.

[Lancer gives his brother a reassuring smile.]

So, cookies?

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid could argue with his brother about that first step, but it's really the last thing he wants to do. So, instead of arguing, he just smiles.]

Yes, cookies and with luck a non-destroyed kitchen!

[puppy_lancer]

[If this was any other time, he would suggest racing. But right now, he's worried about the Ruana month. So he just silently goes toward the staircase.]

[oathshackledbird]

[They walk in silence for a few moments before Diarmuid gives his brother a look. He knows how unusual that silence is.]

You're really worried about this month, aren't you?

[puppy_lancer]

Yeah...

[He trails off.]

I mean, if it was just me, I could take it, but it's everyone else too. And you know how big of a bitch she is now.

[oathshackledbird]

That may be true, but she enjoys our fear. She might be angrier now, but our bonds are stronger now as well. We will make it.

[Diarmuid gives his brother a confident look.]

Whatever she does, we will make it. There is too much at stake to let her stop us here.

[puppy_lancer]

But of course.

[What he doesn't want to say is that he's worried so many of Diarmuid's bonds are gone.]

We'll make it through this together.

[oathshackledbird]

[Cu Chulainn is probably right to worry and also right not to admit that worry at the moment. Not now that Diarmuid has managed to push those thoughts from his mind. In time, he will be better, but the question in this place always has and always will be if he will have that time.]

We will, so lets not worry about that stuff right now, okay? I know what this conversation needs. A race! What do you say?

[puppy_lancer]

...Only if you can keep up.

[He stops in his tracks.]

I'll give you a head start. How about that?

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid raises a challenging eyebrow at his brother.]

I may be emotionally upset at the moment, but believe me, I am not so upset that I need a lead to beat you.

[puppy_lancer]

You sure? What if I leave you in the dust, though?

[oathshackledbird]

[In response, Diarmuid's eyebrow arcs higher.]

Please...

[puppy_lancer]

[He snickers, seeing Diarmuid's brows almost go into his hairline.]

Fine. Your way then. Do the countdown?

[oathshackledbird]

Of course.

[Diarmuid prepares himself to dash down the stairs and then starts the countdown.]

Three. Two. One. Go!

ready to fade to black here?

[puppy_lancer]

[And, of course, Lancer zips off at the word "go."]

Sounds good!

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid laughs and follows after him. He has a boost to uphold after all!]