⚔ 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.]

Comments

Action

[smothersome]

[There was little warning of Aengus' approach. When he wanted to, he could be as quiet as the gentle breeze, barely moving the strands of grass that tried to block its way.

Slender arms looped around the knight, embracing him tightly. Aengus didn't bother to ask what was wrong. He simply stroked his hair and waited for him to run out of tears.

It was painful to see Diarmuid in this state. Even more so to know there was little he could do to assist him. But despite that fact, he was not going to simply leave Diarmuid to his sorrows. He didn't even look at the message on the phone. There was no need. All that mattered was that Diarmuid was unhappy.

And that was unacceptable. His mind raced, pondering what he could do to lift his spirits. Alas, if only this place had not seen fit to torment his child so!]

Action

[croibhristeoir]

I can't take any more of this. I just can't keep losing everyone.

Action

[smothersome]

T'will be alright, o Diarmuid... Have no fear.

'tis a painful thing to lose those close to thee, but the pain will pass and they may yet return. I know you will be alright. Bear with it. I am here.

Action

[croibhristeoir]

I don't know what to do anymore. I can't change anything. I can't prevent this. Even if they return, they could easily forget everything--it's happened before.

There's just...n-nothing I can do.

Action

[smothersome]

Sometimes there is nothing you can do. It will take all of your strength to withstand that fact. But 'tis untrue to claim that you can change nothing. Think back! Did thou not bring happiness to them, and they to you?

Remember that nothing is impossible. Fearing the worst will only make it worse.

Action

[croibhristeoir]

[He didn't answer for a moment, taking that time to calm down the best that he could.]

...I'm sorry. I shouldn't be...I shouldn't be reacting like this.

Text

[technologic]

[She wanted to hide in her room and not talk to anyone when she found the letter and checked the contact list. She was so tired of people leaving and it didn't hurt any less.

But then she sees his post on the network, and she takes a moment to wipe her eyes before sending a reply.] That's good, that Marian is with someone. He's left me his car and his video game stuff.

Text

[croibhristeoir]

Are you going to be alright?

Text

[technologic]

I don't know. I'm kind of a mess right now. What about you?

Text

[croibhristeoir]

Truthfully, I'm not much better. But I'll be fine.

Text

[technologic]

That's good. Though is there anything I can do to help?

Text

[croibhristeoir]

Don't worry, I'm not on my own or anything at the moment.

What about you? If there's anything you need, just ask it of me and I'll do it.

[action]

[theycallmesnake]

[Asking around and information gathering was one of Snake's strong suits, and he wasn't exactly the kind of guy that wanted someone's death on his consciousness. So, wanting to make sure the guy was alright (because, you know, deep down Snake was a caring individual), Snake tracked down Diarmuid's hotel room and tried the door. The fact that it was locked was a good sign to him, and his fist pounding lightly on the door was followed by a gruff shout.]

Hey, kid, you alive in there?

[action]

[croibhristeoir]

[A moment or two later:]

I am not a kid, and of course I'm alive.

[He opened the door, calm and ever and putting his usual glasses back on.]

Is there something I can do for you?

[action] / Also if you'd rather Snake -didn't- know, I'll just make a new tag. |D

[theycallmesnake]

[One little thing about crying.

Know how it leaves red marks on your eyes and/or face?

Sometimes puffy?

Well, let's just say Snake's attention to detail is helping him out in this case.]

Wanted to see if you were alive. Not too huge a fan of blood on my hands...

And either you've been cuttin' up onions, or something's kicked you in the teeth.

[action] s'all good

[croibhristeoir]

Why on earth would I not be alive? It's not even the Dark Hour yet.

[Noooot even gonna address the last bit.]

[action]

[theycallmesnake]

Guess I underestimated your durability. You were pretty banged up the last time I saw you.

[action]

[croibhristeoir]

One of the Fianna would not fall to injuries as minor as that.

[needsteaplz]

[Well that would explain the sudden influx of My Little Pony goods and the letter she received this morning. Honestly, the tea house could survive some time without her. Diarmuid's text spoke volumes and with the past grief he went through, she couldn't just ignore this.]

[She brought over a thermos of tea and she arrives at his hotel door. Sirius barks.]

Diarmuid? Are you in there?

[croibhristeoir]

[He answered the door after a moment, smiling faintly and putting his glasses on. Nope, definitely hadn't been crying. Not in the slightest.]

Hello, Saori.

[needsteaplz]

[She softly smiles back. Good lord, Diarmuid. Saori knows that look too well. As always she hates to see her friends like this, especially him. Even Sirius whines and gives Diarmuid puppy eyes. Even he could sense there was trouble.]

I just wanted to check on you after that last text. May Sirius and I come in? I promise I won't take long and I brought some tea.

[croibhristeoir]

Of course, you're more than welcome to.

[He gave Sirius a light scratch behind the ears. stepping back to let them in.]

[needsteaplz]

Thank you and pardon our intrusion.

[She walks in, signalling for Sirius to follow. Before her dog got any ideas, she had him sit on the floor.]

It's not much, but please take this. I brewed up some tea for you. I figured it's the very least I can do to help. I know you've been through so much, but please...don't do anything too reckless. If I see another post of you overdoing it during the Dark Hour, I might have track you down to smack some common sense into you.

[fourteenthscion]

[PUNCHES ACROSS DIMENSIONS]

[Text]

[crimsonbells]

mr neah is gone?

[there's a forlorn tone to the few words of text, if that's even possible.]