☿ // 007; [video]

[fionnuisce]

So. That month certainly happened. As usual I'll be the contrary fool who points out that leaping directly for Jason's throat was foolish and hastily conceived. I hope at least some of you understand that outright murdering the one person that makes our own deaths a minor inconvenience would be ill-advised at best. When next this opportunity presents itself, I advise that quick planning should lead to a less half-baked idea.

[Deadpan as ever (or perhaps even more so), Waver appeared today in much better shape than he had been the previous month, though for some reason he was currently lacking the usual sunglasses. If not for the frown set deeply on his face and disapproving tone, one might dare think he might have been in a good mood.]

Now that that's been said--and without touching upon specifics--I'd like to hear how everyone else is faring at the moment. [It would be stupid to outright say HEY GUYS HOW'D THE COLLAR EXPERIMENT GO FOR YOU ALL, so Waver elected to be vague.]

If anyone should care to answer that, I have quite a lot of work to do- [He idly held up a number of sheets of what appeared to be parchment, the topmost one having runic writing on it.] -so I will most likely be found on floor twenty-seven in a half hour or so. [And for the next few days without a break, probably.]

[There followed a short pause, after which the severity in the cold and British accented speech lessened slightly.]

...My disapproval of the methods aside, congratulations. Ill-advised or not, you did accomplish something. Don't allow yourselves to think this a failure.

Comments

[fionnuisce]

It's difficult to predict, I'm afraid. [Waver paused and looked down at the back of his right hand--the burned red marks were much fainter than they usually were without an active contract, but still there regardless.]

...It'll be good to have a real contract again, won't it?

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid has to resist the urge to reach out and run his fingers over those faded seals once Waver's glance draws his attention to them.]

I would wait twice as long for the rest of my powers to return if it would make it so that we could renew that contract sooner rather than later. Just my luck, that will be the last thing that returns...

[fionnuisce]

Most likely. [He laughed softly, hand retreating to his pocket.] That's fine with me--I can wait a little longer.

[oathshackledbird]

So, do you have any plans?

[Diarmuid grins.]

I mean for when I am at your tender mercies and powerless, of course...

[fionnuisce]

Don't be so dramatic. I should hopefully be back to my usual self by then, so I'll serve as your protection for a change.

[oathshackledbird]

I'm not being dramatic. I'm just trying to make a worrisome situation, less so. Don't get me wrong...

[Diarmuid shakes his head.]

...I don't doubt that you will take good care of me. I just don't like the idea of being weak in this place, well protected or not.

[fionnuisce]

Powerless or not, I wouldn't go so far as to call you 'weak'. You still vastly outrank most people when it comes to combat knowledge.

[oathshackledbird]

Combat knowledge doesn't do a whole lot of good against things that can pull your heart out of your chest before you even know what is going on.

[Oh...there's bitterness in his voice, but he recognizes it pretty quickly and brushes it off.]

Forget it. You didn't need to hear that... I'm sorry.

[fionnuisce]

[A significant frown came across Waver's face at that, though he elected not to press the matter.]

...Check that cabinet over there and see if there's any liquid mercury, would you? God knows there's enough bloody chemicals around here, I might just get lucky.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid nods, making his way over to the cabinet to start looking through it.]

Will it look the same?

[Like he knows anything about liquid mercury in its non-humanoid maid form...]

[fionnuisce]

Yes, it's just silver reflective liquid. All the applied magecraft really does is mobilize it, more or less.

[oathshackledbird]

Thank you.

[Diarmuid returns to searching the cabinet, though he has just about given up hope when he finds a small clear container stuck way back in a corner. It doesn't have an actual name written on it, though it looks like the familiar silver liquid. Instead of a name there is a symbol, which, despite all the information the Grail has stuck in his head, Diarmuid doesn't recognize. In the end, he holds it out to Waver so he can see the symbol.]

Is this what you are looking for?

[fionnuisce]

Well, would you look at that.

[He took the container with a smirk, sounding grateful.]

Thank you--this should do quite well, in fact. I'd say this might even be enough to improve on it.

[oathshackledbird]

I would offer to look for more, but finding that probably just used up my good luck for the next few months.

[Diarmuid laughs softly.]

Make sure you use it wisely.

[fionnuisce]

I won't let your rare good fortune go to waste. [Setting the container aside, Waver took Diarmuid's hand with a small smile.]

I'll make this better than he ever did. I promise.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid curls his hand around Waver's giving it a squeeze.]

I know you will. I have complete faith in you. I always have.

[fionnuisce]

Possibly a bit misplaced, but I don't think I'll disappoint you too badly.

[oathshackledbird]

I don't think it's misplaced at all, but we've had this discussion before.

[He smiles, drawing Waver's hand up to press a light kiss to its back.]

I will believe where you can't.

[fionnuisce]

Diarmuid...do you ever stop to consider you could think too highly of me?

[oathshackledbird]

No.

[The answer is quick and confident.]

Considering how highly you think of me even though I have made countless mistakes and failed numerous times... How could I ever not think as highly of you as you do of me?

plays the timey-wimey card because shh

[fionnuisce]

I just think...look, maybe we both put each other on a pedestal that's a bit hard to live up to.

LOL! No worries. I had a feeling you were heading that way!

[oathshackledbird]

[A sudden, frightened look that he can't completely hide shoots across Diarmuid's eyes.]

H-have I done something wrong? Something t-to make you lose faith in me?

[He seems almost like he's about to bolt from the room. It's probably a good thing Waver's still go a hold of his hand...]

[fionnuisce]

Diarmuid...no. That's not the case at all, so please--just calm down and listen to me.

[Waver squeezed his hand lightly, trying to sound reassuring.]

You haven't done anything wrong. I just worry that...some of us simply can't live up to what you believe we are. This pedestal you've placed me on, for example--no human could possibly match up to it. It's just...it's a lot of pressure, you understand what I'm getting at here?

[oathshackledbird]

No, I don't.

[And it's clear from the confusion mixed with the panic still in his eyes--he's not reassured, not at all--that he doesn't understand. Diarmuid had been raised with the idea he could be anything he wanted as long as he never stopped trying. That anyone could do that as long as they tried. It is why he expects so much of people.

Expecting less is an insult.]

W-why do you want me to think less of you? It doesn't make sense. It's like giving up even when there is still hope of success. Why would you do that?

[Never mind his definition of 'hope for success' is much different than most people's.]

[fionnuisce]

I'm not giving up on anything, you know that I wouldn't. And I wouldn't term it as wanting you to think less of me or anyone, just...

[Waver trailed off, looking uncertain as he tried to determine how to phrase what he was thinking.]

...just have more realistic expectations. Even when they give everything they have, people are bound to be fallible. And while I truly appreciate the sentiment, I'm worried your own belief in some of us is far beyond what anyone can feasibly accomplish.