⚔ 026; [video/audio]

[croibhristeoir]

Ah, I don't know what I'm doing...and I don't remember the ascent being that difficult last time.

[Diarmuid spoke more to himself than the network at first, turning on his phone one morning (for Prospero, at least--it was already afternoon where he was) to show a verdant landscape, Diarmuid himself on the low southern side of a mountain.]

I finally found it. It's taken me the better part of a day, but I found it. [The view shifted slightly as Diarmuid sat down on the grass, tired but smiling all the same.]

But I don't understand why I sought it out. Who in their right mind would look for the exact spot where their life ended? [He placed the phone beside him and laid back with his arms folded behind his head.] Maybe I...just needed to shift things to a different perspective.

I have lived but twenty-six years and yet I have seen changing eras in a way no mortal ever could. It is exhausting to consider that although this country is still home as no other ever could be, all things tangible that connected me to it are now long dead, gone, and faded away. All that remains is this one place where my blood once stained the ground.

Listen when I say that I have been in Prospero since the beginning. Or at least, since the earliest date anyone can recount spending here. Of those I met in that first Dark Hour, to my knowledge few if any remain now. One, maybe two others? But Princess Serenade, Kaito, Ainosuke, Haruhi...they are as unreachable now as the rest of the Fianna I parted with upon this mountain.

But that is alright. Even if all those I care for should vanish, they will remain as dear to my heart as Oisin and Oscar as well as all of the others. And for all those that disappear, others will arrive--not to take their place, but to offer a measure of friendship and comfort in such troubled times. So it is alright. No matter how it aches, how it feels as though someone has reached into your chest and crushed your living heart...you are not alone. None of us are.

Please don't give up. I've seen what happens when people do.

[Diarmuid took a deep breath and closed his eyes, sighing quietly. Moving to shut the phone off, his thoughts being a thousand miles away distracted him enough to switch it to audio instead.]

It's been so long...but I'm home, Father. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. But you don't have to worry. I don't need you to get me out of trouble anymore. I can take care of myself...and all of them, if they wish it of me. So please, just allow me the strength to be as caring for them as you once were to me.

Comments

[Video]

[technologic]

[April hadn't really planned to reply at first, still not too ready to acknowledge anything related to Prospero just yet, but she quietly sighs and turns the feed on.]

... Yeah, you're right, Diarmuid.

[Video]

[croibhristeoir]

I like to imagine I can be once in a while.

[Video]

[technologic]

You probably are more than you think. [She smiles faintly, but then looks away. The sound of a city can be heard in the background, and she fidgets with the phone for a moment.]

... How has Ireland been?

[Video]

[croibhristeoir]

It's...different. Which I admit I expected, but it's home all the same. So I can't complain.

What about you?

[Video]

[technologic]

That's good.

... Trying to get used to it. It's still the same country I'm from, but everything is so different and, well, lively. [She laughs sheepishly, and rubs the back of her neck.]

[voice]

[range]

...Glad to see ya ain't dead at least.

[voice]

[croibhristeoir]

Oh, no. I'm quite alright this time.

[voice]

[range]

Yeah, I can tell. Feelin' better emotionally too?

[forgivethemtheirpain]

You're right.

[croibhristeoir]

I certainly hope I am. It would be a shame to realize I was merely deluding myself.

[forgivethemtheirpain]

Even if it hurts, we'll see our friends again. ♥

[croibhristeoir]

I'm certain we will.

[forgivethemtheirpain]

It's just like the people we miss from home.

[Video]

[namedforcat]

I'm glad someone has come right out and said it. I think many people needed to hear that.

[Video]

[croibhristeoir]

Hopefully it will be of some help, even if just a little.

[Video]

[namedforcat]

Words of hope and comfort are never out of place, and even if some say they are too late or too little they always have an effect.

We are going to have to pull together even tighter now.

[Video]

[croibhristeoir]

I think we can manage it. Don't you?

[Video]

[buildthatwall]

[Zia watches quietly. The scenery behind the man is gorgeous and steals her breath from her. His words keeps it from ever returning. She smiles, making a soft noise at the call for strength. She didn't know him, not at all, but she knew beauty when she saw it. And this made her happy to see, made her remember her own friends in this unnatural place.]

[Video]

[croibhristeoir]

Ah--hello there.

[Video]

[buildthatwall]

[Meep.]

[Meep meep]

Oh, I didn't mean to-

[Video]

[croibhristeoir]

It's alright, please don't worry. What's your name?

[Video]

[puppet_show]

You were one of the first to appear in Prospero? If you don't mind me asking, just how long ago was that?

[Video]

[croibhristeoir]

Last summer. June or July, I can't think of the exact date at the moment.

[Video]

[puppet_show]

That really is a long time. You must have seen many people come and go, then.

...

I'm sorry.

[Video]

[croibhristeoir]

It's alright. I have, many of them good friends and family. But they would not wish me to lament them forever.