animus_network | ☿ // 008; [text]

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☿ // 008; [text]

There is a concept in my world known as 'Second Magic'. The details of it are not common knowledge, nor is it widely used or explored at all by more than one individual. What is known is its definition in the broadest sense: 'the operation of parallel worlds'.

In short, parallel worlds where I come from are confirmed fact. And while I am not a scholar of Second Magic itself, now I find myself seriously considering the subject. Personally, I don't believe things are predetermined...and yet now I find myself wondering. Even if we restore everything to the way it was, what is the probability any of us live in a timeline that will end well? Mathematically, the odds are astronomical.

I don't know what I hoped to accomplish by communicating this. Maybe I'm so fucking tired I'm just going to ramble incoherently about magical theory until I officially go insane. Of course, maybe I already have gone insane. I might not be able to tell anymore.

On the slim chance anyone decides to come looking for me, I'll be in the laboratory. Exhaustion or not, I have work that needs to be done.

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[Diarmuid smiles a little guiltily.]

I've been replaying it in mind ever since I woke up. Whenever one of the others sneak in, I bring it in to block them. I suppose it helps that memory was the last one I saw before I blacked out. It was the freshest in my mind when I woke up.

The others are starting to fade. I don't want that one to...

Do...you want to tell me about the good ending?

I...don't really know. I mean, I know what I saw, but whether it was you or another world where he survived is impossible to say on sight.

For me it is a little easier. I was with you, which means we went back to your world. I think it was after we finished with the Grail too because we were traveling.

[His expression grows distant again for a moment before he pulls himself back.]

Since we are pulling hope from these, why not believe it was us back home? I know there is no way to know for sure, but...

I would like to believe that, myself. [Leaning forward, Waver rested his head on Diarmuid's shoulder.]

I always assumed there was the smallest probability things could go right for us. This isn't how I would have chosen to have that confirmed, but the confirmation itself is...reassuring.

[Diarmuid shifts slightly so that it is easier for Waver to rest against him. His arm then drops around Waver's waist, while the other goes to pull something out of his pocket.]

I think it's even more confirmation that we both saw some version of us being back on your world. If it had only been on or the other, that...wouldn't be so comforting. Apparently, our friends believe in us and our future too. Do you see what that idiot Reno sent me?

[He holds a small package out to Waver.]

He did mention something strange to me. Is this what it was about?

[Taking the package, Waver suddenly looked mildly annoyed.]

...Should I open it, or is something going to bite me if I do?

Who knew deep down he was such a busybody...

[An amused look crosses Diarmuid's face and he shakes his head.]

It won't bite. It's a little funny in light of something we talked about a few months back.

If you say so.

[Shrugging and trying to seem a little less worried, Waver opened the package...and almost immediately turned bright red.]

...I'm going to break his scrawny little arms, I swear to god.

At first I thought maybe they were for he and Elena, and he wanted me to get my brother to put some runes on them, but he confirmed quickly they were for you and me.

[Diarmuid picks up one ring and looks at it a little closer.]

Kind of makes me wonder when and how he figured out our ring sizes...

I don't know, but I'm going to punch him for it.

[He glanced from the rings to Diarmuid, a little uncertain.]

Should we-...

[Diarmuid settles the ring into the palm of his hand and holds it out to Waver.]

It is up to you, Mo Stór. When we talked about it before, you said it was unnecessary as long as we knew how we feel for each other. And you are right about that. Still, I would not mind. Shall I get on one knee and do it properly?

...

That is how it's done in modern day, isn't it?

Y-you don't have to do that! Really, you make everything so overly complicated.

[Complaining aside, he took the ring and hesitantly put it on rather than let Diarmuid do anything overly dramatic.]

...It's actually kind of nice. Maybe I'll thank Reno after I knock a couple of his teeth ou-

[Hope you were enjoying the moment, Diarmuid. Because Waver just blinked right out of existence and even Volumen Hydragyrum looks confused.]

I would ask you to save a couple of teeth for me to knock out, but since I cracked one of his ribs not that long ago, I think I will pass on this round.

[Diarmuid is just finishing placing his own ring on when Waver vanishes. For a moment, he just blinks in surprise. Then he curses.

Apparently, that little rumor he has heard is true. It explains the few minutes he lost earlier in the day too.

He looks across the empty chair to where the maid is standing and sighs.]

E-Ranked luck. Every time. Got any good stories about your master you care to share while we wait?

[The maid merely shrugs and shakes her head--apparently Waver had been working on her artificial intelligence now that he'd remade the Mystic Code itself.]

[It took a few seconds before Waver reappeared in the chair he'd previously occupied, hugging his knees to his chest and making a conscious effort not to look horrified.]

...the fuck was that?!

[Diarmuid doesn't answer the question right away. Instead, he reaches out and draws Waver into his arms.]

It happened to me earlier, though I wasn't sure exactly what happened until I hear someone talking about it in the cafeteria. We're blinking back to the void occasionally. At least...I think that is where I ended up. I was a little too confused and panicked to take notes at the time.

[Shuddering slightly, Waver put his arms around Diarmuid's waist and tried to process this information.]

But--that can't be normal, can it? Do you think something went wrong in all that?

What is normal about any of this? People generally don't have to use their souls to keep a Tower powered.

[Diarmuid pales suddenly as what they just did hits him in a way it never did before. He swears softly under his breath, tensing his muscles to keep himself from shaking.]

What the hell were we thinking...

We were thinking we didn't have a choice.

[Sighing to himself, Waver thought back to his conversation with Reno, repeating what he'd said then in a quiet voice.]

...'I'm not happy about it and if I felt I could live with myself after the fact I wouldn't go at all. But if risking and possibly giving up my life will grant everyone else a little more time, I can accept that.'

He probably called you an idiot for saying that too, didn't he?

[Diarmuid sighs, resting his head against Waver's and taking a deep breath to finish calming himself.]

But the time is why I went too. You know me. I don't think I ever thought we wouldn't come back, not even when we were in the void. Even if I had considered it, though, the time is still more important. We are just starting to gain ground. We can't let anything slow that down.

[And losing weeks or even months off the short amount of time they have left would definitely do that.]

Reno? He didn't seem pleased about it, no. But like I told him...if I hadn't gone, I wouldn't have been able to stand the guilt of knowing I could have done more.

Whatever side effects this has for us, we'll just have to face them together. And...I know your luck is miserable, but I can safely say things have a way of working out in my favor. If that holds true a little longer, we might just be fine.

Well, you did find me again, didn't you?

[Diarmuid smiles and takes Waver's hand, lacing together their fingers so the rings sit near each other.]

I would say that is pretty good proof that you are right and things will work out somehow.

[He pauses a moment and then a grin crosses his face.]

It's too bad we can't predict when we will get pulled back to the void. Can you imagine the look on Reno's face if we disappeared while talking to him? It would be great payback, wouldn't it?

[Waver managed a laugh at that, squeezing Diarmuid's hand.]

That might be pretty funny, actually. Besides, blank nothingness is probably better than nightmares. I doubt Riki would purposely put us in any real danger, so it might sort itself out eventually.

[Aware that was optimism bordering on delusion, Waver shrugged and stood up.]

Come on. I don't know about you, but I could use a distraction.

[Diarmuid laughs and allows Waver to pull him to his feet. He could say something about Waver's 'optimism,' but really what is there to say? They both know it will do them no good to focus on the alternative...]

What do you have in mind and should I be worried?

We're going to head to the twenty-fifth floor and punch each other senseless.

[This is how people in the UK interact. Probably.]

Wouldn't it be more fun to find Reno and punch him senseless instead?

[Diarmuid winks at Waver as he starts toward the door.]

Not that I am complaining about a spar to celebrate things...

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