[video/action]

[midgetarchive]

[Video]

Given the amount of danger that surrounds the Dark Hour, I find myself requiring help. I've been wishing to investigate, but I'm hesitant to do so alone without my magic. If you're willing to help, I will be at the park tonight.

[Ivy smiled briefly at the phone before shutting the feed off]


[Action]

[Park, shortly before the Dark Hour. The Archive was sitting on a bench, her legs swinging as she waited]


[There is now an Dark Hour Action Post as well!]

Comments

[croibhristeoir]

You worry too much--this is nothing.

[He dodged the Shadow's counterattack as if he'd predicted it ahead of time, swinging the lance in response.]

[midgetarchive]

[She watched, frustrated that she couldn't do anything] Don't be so rash.

[croibhristeoir]

Risk is a large part of all combat--I know exactly what I am doing.

[midgetarchive]

[The Archive bit her lip, still trying to access her Persona. Not even noticing the Shadow coming up behind her.]

[croibhristeoir]

[Luckily for her, human or not Diarmuid had the finely-tuned instincts of the Fianna at his disposal. But instead of summoning his Persona, (as might have been the logical choice) Diarmuid drove his lance straight down through the first Shadow and into the ground. The second he rushed at without a word, blowing past Ivy and raising an arm to defend against its oncoming attack.]

[midgetarchive]

[Ivy's eyes widened as he did so, staying stock still. Her hand twitched, still trying to summon her magic frantically] Watch out!

[croibhristeoir]

I should be the one telling you that. You need to be watching your surroundings.

[Despite having disarmed himself, Diarmuid's voice didn't sound anything but conversational and relaxed. He'd been fighting Shadows nearly every night for over a year, and that on top of a lifetime of combat left him mostly unfazed by immediate danger. Not that he was all that susceptible to fear to begin with, at any rate.]

[Diarmuid lowered the arm that had taken the Shadow's attack, moving like lightning to answer with a devastating kick in the absence of his blade.]

[midgetarchive]

[The Archive moved, running for his spear. While he was a good fighter, he would do better with his weapon. Her hands yanked at the embedded spear, keeping an eye on Diarmuid]

[croibhristeoir]

[He didn't seem too bothered by the loss of his weapon, moving swiftly with strikes aimed to take down the Shadow as well as put him in a good position to dodge its counters.]

[...And that lance was sure stuck in there.]

[midgetarchive]

[Ivy had to give up to dodge another Shadow, stumbling back slightly] Diarmuid!

[croibhristeoir]

[He scowled faintly at that, seeming to be weighing his option for half a second--he knew in a fight that much may as well have been an eternity. It had been a long time since he'd fought with anything but his own hands and weaponry, as if he even feared that which lived in his own heart.]

[That was quite enough of that. He was hesitating and limiting himself needlessly, and Diarmuid of all people knew hesitation in combat could get someone killed. If one of the knights he'd instructed back home pulled something this imbecilic, Diarmuid wouldn't have shown any mercy as a knight. Of course he could ask no less of himself.]

[Finishing the Shadow nearest to him with one last strike, he threw out his hand in Ivy's direction.]

Cú Chulainn!

[The knight in immaculate white armor surged forth for the first time in months, his own lance thrust forward with a bolt of lightning to eradicate the Shadow nearest to Ivy.]

[midgetarchive]

[Oh. Okay. That's a Persona. Powerful thing. Ivy stumbled back, landing on her rear as she looked over, seeing a Shadow sneaking up on him] Behind you!

[croibhristeoir]

Rather stubborn tonight, aren't they--?!

[He jumped back, towards the lance he pulled out of the ground with hardly any effort at all.]

Not in over your head, I hope.

[midgetarchive]

Of course not. [Ivy stood, indignant] This is fantastic data I am gathering about them and-

[Stop talking, Archive, and you wouldn't have gotten hit like you just did]

[croibhristeoir]

Will you be careful--

[He threw out his hand again, Persona striking down the Shadow that had attacked her.]

Are you alright?!

[midgetarchive]

I'm fine. That is not the worst I've endured for-

[Another came to attack, aiming for Diarmuid, and something snapped inside of her. Her hands balled as her Persona raised above her. There was a white light as it cast a spell at the Shadow, vaporizing it instantly. Her voice came out, low and furious]

Don't. You. Touch. Him.

[croibhristeoir]

[...Woah.]

Ivy--

[That was certainly unexpected.]

[midgetarchive]

[Her eyes snapped to him, radiating fury. She was tired of her friends getting hurt. Tired of getting hurt herself. Just tired of it all]

I won't let anything hurt my friends again.

[croibhristeoir]

[Surprise turned to a calm smile, Diarmuid reaching over to put a hand on her shoulder.]

Thank you.

[midgetarchive]

[The Archive closed her eyes, visibly trying to calm down, and put a hand over his]

We should start to head back. I'm... feeling a little woozy now.

[croibhristeoir]

Of course. We should be able to get back with little incident, assuming we're careful.

[midgetarchive]

Of course. [She let him lead, following close behind]