[VIDEO/ACTION] First Dawn

[smothersome]

[Waking up in a strange place was one thing. It was a place that was filled with the oddest of scents, so much so that the air itself felt different. The people around him were dressed in gaudy, revealing outfits, or clothes that constricted the body fiercely. He was lucky that so far, he had not come across any cars. Instead, his curious poking at the phone in his hands had caused the video to turn on. He was crouching on the ground, knees tucked up to his chest as he tosses the phone from hand to hand, seeing what the buttons do. So far, a few things have appeared on the screen.

The feed twirls a little, showing first him, then people around him - a woman in green; a small boy. There are the faint sounds of voices-

Mom, what's he doing?
I think he's from some fair or other. Probably a street performer.
Maybe he's escaped from an asylum!

For his part, Aengus paid it no heed, and when the dizzying twirl stopped, he had it set on his knees. Ah. This looks like it is doing something at least. Hm... The people had scattered, leaving him alone in what appeared to be a park. Curiosity only goes so far, after all. A look of concern was set upon his brow, though he tried to mask it with his usual winning smile.]

This is a place of which mine eyes have never before gazed upon.

'tis an unusual thing enough to sleep in the Brú and awaken yet somewhere new. What dost thou require of me? It must be a matter of some importance for you to have brought me here, unknown to any, and even so to myself.

At the least, it would be expected to leave a letter before me.

...I saw a name most familiar and beloved to me upon this. If it be not lying, o Diarmuid, then tell me now.

Comments

1/who really knows maybe 4

[croibhristeoir]

[That little vacation had been just what Diarmuid needed. Having only just returned, unpacked, and delivered several souvenirs to close friends, he was taking a moment to appreciate being back in Prospero. It was like a twisted sort of home to him, no matter who came and went.]

[croibhristeoir]

[Diarmuid's phone was halfway across the room, but the moment he heard that voice?]

[He found himself practically drowning in the half a cup of tea he immediately choked on.]

[croibhristeoir]

[Logic immediately sprouted wings and flew right out his sixth-story window, the knight in glasses immediately dropping everything he was doing or planned to do and dashing straight out the door, down the stairs, and bolting out of the hotel like a tall, dark streak of lightning.]

done~

[croibhristeoir]

[In retrospect, Diarmuid realized he probably should have checked to see where the hell he was first.]

[That way he wouldn't have been running through the city at top speed for upwards of twenty minutes before catching on to the trail of sparkles and butterflies.]

F-Father--!

[He screeched to an abrupt halt, doubled over and trying to catch his breath.]

[smothersome]

[!!!]

[ALERT 99.99- wait wrong canon

When Diarmuid's voice broke through his reverie, he whirled, almost pitching over. Catching himself, he rose to his feet and swept over to Diarmuid, leaving the phone where it lay. He swept the man into his arms and hugged him tightly to his chest.]

Diarmuid-! What is wrong? Has someone harmed thee, o Diarmuid?

[croibhristeoir]

N-no, I'm not...

[This was really happening. After everyone he'd met, everyone he'd lost, the one person he hoped to see again above all others was finally here and as clingly as ever.]

I'm not...I'm not injured.

[Sob.]

[smothersome]

[Cradling Diarmuid's face in his hands, he drew back enough to see the look on his face. It was enough. Just like that, he crushed him to his chest once more. One hand rose to stroke his hair soothingly.]

Then what has happened? Or would you prefer that I asked no questions? If it be something of which I can assist you in, then please allow me to.

[He fussed over the shaken Irishman like a mother hen, worried about what had happened in his absence. Yet, Diarmuid had not been from his sight. Yet he too was here. Such an oddity...]

[croibhristeoir]

It's...it's alright. I'm s-sorry, I don't mean to worry you. It is just that it's been so long since--no, wait, first I should ask you something.

What was the last thing that happened before you came here?

[smothersome]

So long?

[...alright, he'll roll with it.]

O Diarmuid, when last I saw thee, all was well. Finn and thee had made peace, and Diarmuid ua Diabhne had settled down in Ces Corann. Your children were healthy and youthful, and you yourself appeared at ease.

[croibhristeoir]

Oh, is that...really the last that happened?

[Well, this was taking a sharp turn into awkward.]

This face. Forever.

[smothersome]

Why is it that you ask me this? Did something happen while I was swept away to this place?

[Worry worry worry.]

d'awwww

[croibhristeoir]

No, it's not...it is not that anything happened in your absence, or that I was aware of any absence at that point to begin with.

I fear it to be a little more complicated than that.

[smothersome]

If you wish to speak of it, I am here. Come. Sit with me on the grass, and we will speak.

[croibhristeoir]

...I am afraid it will be a very long tale indeed, Father.

[smothersome]

We have time, have we not? I see no reason to leave your side. Long or not, if it be a tale of importance to thee, then I shall listen. I am here for you, o Diarmuid. My son, whom I have raised since you were but nine months of age.

[croibhristeoir]

Very well, as you wish.

[He sat down, taking off the glasses he'd still been wearing.]

Before we go much further at all, first I should note that both this place and myself seem to be...ahead of you, as far as time goes. That was quite a while ago in any sense.

[smothersome]

[He sank down beside Diarmuid, one arm slung loosely around his shoulders. A frown flickered across his face.]

Ahead? How long has it been for thee?

[croibhristeoir]

That's...rather difficult to answer. For me personally...just over a year, give or take a few months. But for this realm, it has been well over two millennia since I was last living in this or any other earth.

[smothersome]

[Silence. The shock hits him like a horse at full pelt and he leans slowly back until the cool dampness of the grass seeps through his clothing.

Two millenia?

Diarmuid had been... dead? For two millenia?]

How can this be?

[croibhristeoir]

A great deal of magic as well as this place bending logic when not outright breaking it.

[smothersome]

[His hand latched onto the back of Diarmuid's clothing, using it to tug himself upright again.]

Then this difference is merely the effect of time. Should I be relieved, or unhappy? 'tis hard to tell.

[He smiled brilliantly. Whatever his true feelings were, it was hard to tell. But the important thing now was to make Diarmuid feel at ease. It felt almost as if he were dealing with him in his youth once more.]

...still, I have thee by my side. Tell me, how come thee to know of thy death? Can there still be stories even now? Indeed, that is a sign of the adoration bestowed upon you.

[croibhristeoir]

There are tales of our time even in this era, attention I do not feel is deserved.

But...that is not how I learned of my fate.

[smothersome]

[But then-

There was only one answer that made sense. That unfortunate eventuality would be-

No!

It felt unreal to be speaking of this with Diarmuid here beside him. It was that alone that stilled his lament, though he reached out slowly to prod at him, to make sure he was not a spirit. But no, the flesh was firm. The body was warm.

Dead, yet alive. What magic was this? He knew of none so powerful.

Wordlessly, he clutched his son to his chest. His silence remained for a moment before he asked.]

...is it then the same magic which brings thee before me now?

[buildthatwall]

You know Diarmuid too?

[croibhristeoir]

...Not exactly. I'm afraid that my first death was but the beginning of things, strange as it sounds.

[He sighed, for a moment enjoying the fact that his father was here beside him. How many times since his arrival in Prospero--no, since his summoning had he wished for his father's presence at his side?]

There was far more which occurred for me afterwards, leading me to my presence here.