tvk | ⚔ 015; [video]

[It was the purpose of a knight to fight and protect others. Diarmuid had long since taken it upon himself to spend the Dark Hour in the city every night almost without exception--what if someone was in danger out there? The fighting skill of one of the Fianna was valuable in this place, and he couldn't waste it. So he could be found on the streets nearly every night, fully armored and with both lances in hand.]

[However, being out every night at a quite literally ungodly hour and still functioning in the daylight hours was beginning to wear on him considerably. With so much on his mind, Diarmuid had completely neglected to take the usual night or two a week to stay inside and recover. As a result, he was slowly but surely beginning to look remarkably tired.]

[The video turned on when it was carelessly dropped in a chair sometime after the Dark Hour, showing a hotel room lit just enough that one could see the knight in bloodstained black and green, leaning heavily on a wall. It wasn't a serious injury--not life-threatening, at least. But the implications were far too clear; he'd made an obvious misstep in a fight due to his own exhaustion. A faint curse left him in a foreign language, frustration evident in the uncharacteristic scowl on his face.]

[He was a knight, therefore he had to keep going and fight for those who couldn't. But he was also a human now, and therefore he needed to remember his unfortunate limitations.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ah--y-yes. Of course, I just...made a mistake, that's all.

In any case, rest, unless you'd rather I force you to do so.

I can take care of myself.

...while I have your attention, there's something I think we need to discuss. [While he's applying bandages to stop bleeding all over the floor and all.]

...What is it that you wish to speak about?

[It certainly sounds like an important business for his Knight to address him.

Even if the Fiannas were no more.]

...Why didn't you tell me about Grainne?

[There was no accusation in his tone. Just an honest question, spoken in a tired voice.]

[...Diarmuid will see that his former lord's countenance turn pale at the mere mention of her name.

How did he find out? There was absolutely no way for him to find out.

Unless...]

...I...

[...Of course. The people who knew of this fact were his former knights as well as her]

Did not wish to see you hurt from the fact.

...I'm not angry. Not about this. I just...

You could have told me. I would rather have heard it from you than find out elsewhere.

Was she happy?

...

[Should he tell him the truth, or should he lie to him.

Just like he lied to him the day he died due to his vengeance.]

...She wasn't.

[He settled in telling his knight the truth.]

After all, her only true love was you.

...I'm...sorry. Not for running away, but...all this time, the only thing I have ever been truly sorry for was disappointing you and causing you pain.

...

[No, the one who was in the wrong in the first place was him.

He need not ask for his forgiveness. For the one who needs forgiveness is Fionn Mac Cumhaill himself, for taking Diarmuid's life as well as his wife.

~~oh hey that rhymed.~~]

...No, you need not be sorry.

I am the one who should ask for your forgiveness, if anything.

...you've always had it. I never hated you.

...I suppose some things just doesn’t change.

[There’s a rueful shake of head as Fionn knew that whatever happened, Diarmuid still doesn’t hate anyone.

Or does he.]

...how I wish that were true.