⚔ 020; [action]

[croibhristeoir]

[Diarmuid's been a bit scarce since the Lovers shadow was defeated. The whole mess gave him something of a shock, all things considered, and so he kept mostly to himself for a little while. But he grew tired of that quickly, and now that things had calmed down the former Servant tried to get back to what passed for normal.]

[Just before he left his hotel room that afternoon, a hardcover book resting on the table caught his eye--how long had he owned it for? Nearly as long as he'd been in Prospero, surely. In fact he recalled buying it not very long after awakening his Persona. Diarmuid wanted to revisit things, to again hear the legends that had been so commonly told when he was younger. He had admired the strength and loyalty of that knight, as well as the courage to meet his end with laughter and acceptance.]

[But in this era, the legend of the Hound of Ulster was not the only one to have come from their homeland. Diarmuid had left his own story behind, written with every small action he'd taken in life. Maybe it was finally time to see what sort of record was left behind.]

['You are not guilty of the geis which has been laid upon you', said Oisin, 'and I tell you to follow Grainne, and keep yourself well against the wiles of Fionn.'

'And what counsel do you give me, Diorruing?'

'I tell you to follow Grainne, though your death will come of it and I grieve for it.']

[It was not a happy tale. Diarmuid had certainly known that even as he lived through it. From the very first night he and all around him had known the story's end was already written. But what more could he have done? From the moment she laid eyes on him, there was no other path he could follow and still preserve his pride as a knight.]

['It was no long time after that when Fionn and the fianna of Erin came up, and the agonies of death and of instant dissolution were then coming upon Diarmuid.

'It likes me well to see thee in that plight, O Diarmuid,' said Fionn; 'and I grieve that all the women of Erin are not now gazing upon thee: for thy excellent beauty is turned to ugliness, and thy choice form to deformity.']

[...Even if it ended badly. No, it didn't matter how it ended. Death had come with no regrets great enough worth mentioning, and oh, how he ever missed the days when he could forgive so easily.]

[Sitting alone on a park bench, Diarmuid closed the book he held and slowly reached up to take his glasses off. A moment or two passed in silence, his expression unreadable and perhaps even a little cold. Then...he just smiled to himself, slowly. There was no way to change his past, and also nothing he would have done differently. He couldn't live up to his full expectations, but Diarmuid had confidence that he'd done his best. So...it was alright. He could try one last time for a life without a tragic ending.]

Comments

[unknownrival]

Niisan?

[Spotting the man he called his brother on the bench, Issei approached, knowing nothing of his introspection.]

[croibhristeoir]

Hm?

[Diarmuid looked up, having been snapped out of some long and tl;dr line of thought.]

Oh, hello. I didn't even hear you coming.

[Which said a lot, coming from someone with that level of experience.]

[unknownrival]

[Issei knew that.]

Is something on your mind?

[croibhristeoir]

It's nothing of any great importance. [Another smile.] I'm fine.

[straight_and_true]

You look pretty relieved. Something good happen?

[Phoenix himself was just walking by to file some paperwork, so he's in no hurry. He is, however, very curious. From a distance it had seemed like the other was upset about something, but... he seems fine now.]

[croibhristeoir]

Hm...nothing in particular, no. But I suppose I am relieved in a sense.

[straight_and_true]

That's good. You seemed kind of down from a distance.

[Phoenix finally notices the book still in Diarmuid's hands.]

What're you reading?

[popola]

[It's dangerous out there. Have a wandering Popola. Currently she's focused on the trees along the way. She hasn't seen some of those in quite some time.]

[croibhristeoir]

[Blink blink.]

Dev--...no, Popola?

[popola]

Oh, so you can tell.

[Good, good.]

Diarmud, correct? What brings you to the park?

[truthsnomiracle]

Undergoing that investigation, Diarmuid?

[Funny thing about being absorbed in a book; it can make one easy to sneak up on. That voice came from a burgundy form to your right.]

[croibhristeoir]

--?!

[Diarmuid was not a person that was ever really snuck up on. So it spoke volumes to how distracted he was that it happened at all.]

Wh-what? I mean, I...somewhat, yes?

[truthsnomiracle]

You're fortunate to now live in a time and situation where your dignity is all that's wounded by being startled.

[Congratulations, Diarmuid, you've been upgraded to taunt fodder.]

[forgivethemtheirpain]

*And have a shoujo ditz looking over your shoulder.*

What are you reading?

[croibhristeoir]

Hm? Oh, it's a book of mythology.

[forgivethemtheirpain]

Really? That's pretty interesting! What kinds of stories does this world have?

[ex_cashcow493]

A smile?

[ Saber wasn't the best at greetings. In fact, most of her greetings consisted of a blade striking someone in the face while her men cried out about their glorious king behind her.

This was also her first time out in a while, her injuries hidden under a layer of her jacket. ]

[croibhristeoir]

The first in some time, I think. [And it would be followed by another upon seeing her.] How are you, Arturia?

[ex_cashcow493]

[ Too soon to be asking that question. ]

Alive and well. [ Have the best answer she can provide. ] The book was enjoyable then?

[elvhen]

[ have yet another person sneaking a glance at the book. merrill is standing behind the bench as she does, her head slightly bowed downwards to get a close enough look. ]

Oooh, what's this? [ ...wait that doesn't sound right. ] I mean, I know it's book, I can see that, but you know what I mean, and what I mean is, what kind is it?

[croibhristeoir]

[Smile~]

It is a book of legends from my home country.

[elvhen]

Really? It must be really nice to have something from your home country here. Are they nice legends?

[athngabla]

[Diarmuid's not the only Lancer to take a fancy to the park as a place for recreational activity.]

[Case in point: the murderhound walking along the path with a bright orange Frisbee in hand and with... well, with a non-murder-hound trotting along at his side.]

Yo.

[He raises a hand in greeting as he walks toward the other knight, his sidekick meandering off in the grass.]

[croibhristeoir]

[IDOL ALERT--...well, idol-and-puppy alert.]

O-oh...hello. What brings you here?

[Just gonna slowly move to hide that book behind him.

[athngabla]

[He notices the book -- not enough to read the title, and he doesn't feel like inquiring about it, either. For now, at least.]

Same thing you are, probably. It's nice here. About the only place in town with grass, trees, and dirt. Mind if I take a seat?