[005. Voice/Action]

[raisedroyal]

[VOICE]
It seems that my absence was poorly timed. And yet I can't help but wonder why it is that we're brought into this place or why some of us manage to disappear while the rest continue searching for answers or for a way back to their countries, and yet they remain. Would any of you be willing to discuss these matters at length? I realize that, especially for those who have newly arrived, the situation can be disorienting, but perhaps if we all came together and shared our experiences with this place, it might be possible to draw some conclusions.

I realize that not everyone here prefers to work as part of a team, but I sincerely believe that to make any progress at all, it will require the cooperation of each and every one of us.

[ACTION]
[With classes over for the summer, Natalia's out practicing well into the morning, making use of the fields to practice with a bow. (Perhaps she shouldn't be here at all, but she doesn't see why anyone should mind. She isn't hurting anything.) She sets an arrow, pulls the string back tight, and lets it fly. Sometimes her arrows hit the target, and sometimes they fall short or soar past. She only has about two dozen to work with, and so after she has depleted her quiver, Natalia walks across the lawn to gather them together again before repeating the process.]

2nd shoot [ action - video ]

[battlefrontleader]

[Action - mid-day]

[One can find Yuri practicing shooting at targets that she had sent up earlier in the day. This could be a common sight if there wasn't also a large crow practicing with her at similar targets placed close to hers. The two seem to be training in unison as they'd both aim at their own targets in order to practice hitting at the same time.]

Alright! We have this!

[Turning to hit her last target, Yuri ends up falling to the ground instead with her Persona being released. Rolling over onto her stomach, Yuri glances up at the sky. It's obvious to see that training has taken a lot out of her. ]

That wasn't supposed to happen..

[Video]

[One can see Yuri looking a dazed at the screen, as if distracted for a moment before speaking.]

Is there a difference between using your persona during the day and during Dark Hour. I usually last a... [She breaks to let out a small cough before continuing.] It seems to be more exhausting to use it during the day than at night...

Also.., can anyone tell me more about this 'full moon'. I've heard people mention it, but I'm not certain that I get the dangers of it...

⚔ 027; [text/action]

[croibhristeoir]

Neah Walker seems to have left. I have his pet bird, if anyone was concerned.

[He sent the message and stared at his phone for a long time without properly seeing it. Or anything else, for that matter. Diarmuid was so lost in thought that he didn't quite register that if looks could kill, the device in his hand would have a hole burned through it.]

[For all his faith and all he said about things not being so terrible, the pain of separation still hurt as clearly as the lingering occasional ache in his chest. Of the friends he'd made in Prospero, Neah was among those he'd known the longest. They were close friends in a way that Diarmuid rarely shared with anyone, and that was what made it hurt even more. Arturia, Grainne, Issei, Neah...that was more or less the list of his closest friends and loved ones, all gone without a trace.]

[Diarmuid was more than used to pain, emotional or physical. He could withstand it, could reassure and console others during it, and would continue on the best he could. But there was something few people knew about him--something which in recent memory, he'd only ever even hinted at to Arturia.]

[Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, fearless first blade of the Fianna...was terrified of being isolated.]

[Of course, he'd always had friends and allies within reach. He was well-loved in the Fianna, but outside of them? He wasn't very popular with those who thought he'd steal their wives or lovers at a glance, and the empty affection of those under his curse was worse than being left on his own.]

[He was never alone, but he was always lonely. A place like this where he could actually have friends without pushing them away through uncontrollable circumstances...that much made the city like paradise. But the more people left, he felt himself gradually more unsettled and even more lonely than ever before.]

[He dropped the phone and sank into a chair finally, hiding his face in folded arms. There was nothing he could do--there was never anything he could do. He couldn't control the curse back then, couldn't control how many people resented him, couldn't control who Prospero chose to send away or when they did it.]

[For all the strength and skill he possessed, he was utterly helpless. And before he could remind himself that no, he had to remain steady and calm for everyone else's sake? Diarmuid was crying as quietly as possible for the few moments in which no one could see him.]