☿ // 008; [text]

[fionnuisce]

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.

Comments

[oathshackledbird]

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...

[fionnuisce]

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.'

[oathshackledbird]

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.]

[fionnuisce]

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.

[oathshackledbird]

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?

[fionnuisce]

[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.

[oathshackledbird]

[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?

[fionnuisce]

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

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

[oathshackledbird]

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...

[fionnuisce]

You're closer and I think we both need to get our minds off the unpleasantness at hand. [A shrug.] We can make Reno pay for being a prying little twit later.

[oathshackledbird]

Agreed. Distraction is a good thing right now.

[He's quiet for a moment before turning back to look at Waver.]

You said punch each other, so I am assuming no weapons? Do you think you can teach me some about how you fight?

[fionnuisce]

If it's just sparring, there's no need to risk injury by using blades. I thought hand-to-hand would be more efficient.

[Following a step or two behind, Waver shrugged as though that was obvious.]

I'm sure I could, but it isn't as though I'm an expert myself.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid stops walking for a moment, so that he can roll his eyes at Waver.]

Do you think me so poor a fighter I am going to injure you? Besides, you are an expert when it comes to your fighting style. It's nothing I know anything about. I am sure you have a few moves that would surprise me despite my experience.

[fionnuisce]

Hmph. My own fighting style is no less hasty and self-taught just because you know nothing about it.

[oathshackledbird]

It doesn't matter if it is hasty and self-taught.

[Diarmuid shrugs.]

That can actually be a good thing because it means you are also being creative. I look forward to being surprised.

[fionnuisce]

Just try not to criticize me too harshly.

[oathshackledbird]

Mo Stór, if you are teaching me, I'm not going to criticize you at all. It's not right.

[fionnuisce]

You know I was joking, right?

[oathshackledbird]

[Red lightly dusts Diarmuid's cheeks as his eyes dart to the side.]

If I say 'yes,' will you believe me?

[fionnuisce]

How about I forget that ever happened and we just get on with it?

[Once they reached the twenty-fifth floor, Waver took off his green jacket and stretched both arms behind his back before easing into a fighting stance.]

So, let's not waste time. Don't hold back.

[oathshackledbird]

Deal.

[Diarmuid laughs and then falls quiet until they reach the 25th floor. Once there, he watches Waver get ready and then falls into a fighting stance of his own.]

No disappearing to the void to avoid a punch. That's cheating.

[He grins and then dashes forward to attack.]

[fionnuisce]

I promise only to try! [Smirking, Waver sidestepped Diarmuid's attack in one quick motion, following the knight's momentum to strike at his legs and attempt to trip him.]

[oathshackledbird]

It's all I ask!

[The words are automatic, otherwise Waver wouldn't have gotten a response at all. Without his powers, Diarmuid has to focus a bit more on his fighting than he normally would. He can't be as creative as he is used to. Responses have to be more streamlined and simplistic. For example, instead of somersaulting to avoid the leg sweep, Diarmuid simply jumps over Waver's attack. While he is in the air, though, he does lash out with a kick, hoping to catch the magus off-guard.]

[fionnuisce]

[It was much easier to follow Diarmuid's movements when he didn't have the speed of a Servant. That left him with the main problems of being able to see an attack coming and having strength enough to block and counter.]

[Fortunately, Waver had the presence of mind to put some distance between them once Diarmuid took to the air; the kick missed him by barely a few inches. The main issue with Waver's fighting style is that it wasn't well-suited to mounting his own offense. What little aikido techniques he'd taught himself were all in responding and turning an opponent's attacks against them. But let it never be said Waver wasn't one to improvise now and then.]

[His response came quickly; a feint in the form of a left-handed punch before quickly switching to a knifehanded strike at the shoulder with his right.]

[oathshackledbird]

[One thing that losing his powers doesn't mean losing is his battle experience, and that is why Diarmuid recognizes the feint for what it is right away and doesn't bother to try and block it. This allows him to focus his attention fully on blocking the real attack. He reaches out to grab Waver's arm and then, if he manages to get a hold of it, pulls him in so that his free hand can try to land a punch to the magus' jaw.]