☿ // 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

[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.]

[fionnuisce]

[Aw, goddammit. At least that's what Waver might have been thinking if he wasn't busy seeing stars from that punch. Maybe telling Diarmuid to hold back hadn't been the smartest idea...oh well. Nothing to do now but shake it off and counter.]

[Waver took advantage of Diarmuid's hold on his arm by gripping it tightly himself, moving to sweep the knight's legs out from under him and get enough leverage to throw him to the ground. Much like his Mystic Code, it all came down to a matter of simple momentum.]

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid doesn't expect Waver to be able to react quite so quickly after taking a punch like that and in hindsight that is a big mistake on his part. Of course, without his speed by the time he realizes it, his legs have been swept out from under him. However, if he is going down, he is making sure he's not going alone.

His grip on Waver's arm tightens and he yanks to make sure the magus is--hopefully--falling too. Of course, Waver will be the lucky one since he is likely to end up landing on Diarmuid, while Diarmuid is only going to be landing on the floor.]

[fionnuisce]

[It only took about .5 seconds to realize that just about anyone else would have let go by that point, and .5 more to conclude that was a serious error in judgment on Waver's own part. He fell right on top of Diarmuid with a look of surprise that quickly turned to annoyance, frowning.]

...That usually would have ended better.

[oathshackledbird]

Well, at least you aren't the one who ended up on the ground.

[Diarmuid laughs softly, but the laugh soon becomes a wince when a twinge of pain ripples through his still healing wound as a result of the hard landing.]

[fionnuisce]

Oh--shit, I'm sorry. I forgot-- [Stammering out an apology, Waver quickly straightened up and held out his hand.]

Are you hurt?

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid shakes his head, though he doesn't refuse the help getting back to his feet.]

It's nothing serious. The fall just jarred it a little. Give me a minute and we can continue.

[fionnuisce]

Are you sure? I don't exactly want to make it worse.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid nods, expression confident.]

I am. I've fought with worse, don't worry. The pain is already fading.

[fionnuisce]

Oh--maybe I should be insulted. Was I that disappointing?

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid raises an eyebrow at him.]

Do you really want me bleeding out again all over the mats just to prove you are an excellent fighter?

[fionnuisce]

I'd settle for a 'good work, Waver' over horrible lacerations.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid grins and leans forward to drop a quick kiss on Waver's nose.]

Excellent work, Waver. Shall we go another round?

[fionnuisce]

I'm ready whenever you are. But...hm. I wonder, if I manage to win, do I get anything out of it?

[oathshackledbird]

Do you want to get something out of it?

[Diarmuid's grin widens as he falls into a fighting stance again.]

I see nothing wrong with giving you a reward should you win. Incentive is a powerful motivator...

[fionnuisce]

It wasn't my original intention, but if you're offering I would graciously accept.

[He moved back into his own stance, smirking.]

And if you win, I'd certainly do the same. That's equivalence, after all.