⚔ 031; [action; dark hour of 9/24]

[croibhristeoir]

[Arturia had asked Diarmuid to take a week off after seeing how exhausted he really was. Knowing she was at the top of the list of people he simply couldn't argue with, Diarmuid simply accepted it. Of course, he wasn't just going to ignore hearing the sounds of fighting a short distance away, least of all so soon after the Dark Hour started. Even when he was told not to do anything...well, some things just couldn't be avoided. Diarmuid closed the book he was reading and picked up his lance, cautiously stepping outside the house--he'd just be long enough to make sure no one was in danger, then he'd go right back to doing as Arturia had asked of him. Simple, right?]

[It could never be that simple. Because just down the road, exchanging almost playful blows with a Dancing Hand that seemed to want nothing to do with this...it was a sight that momentarily caused Diarmuid to forget how to breathe. There was no way--surely whatever governed this place would never be so merciful as to resurrect that knight as well as Diarmuid's own father.]

[He wasn't fully aware of dropping his lance in shock, or of sprinting forward as fast as his legs would carry him. All he took notice of was the sheer elation at seeing that knight with clear green eyes and unruly copper colored hair, and the utter disbelief that he was even here at all. Diarmuid closed the distance between them in an instant, speaking in a rushed tone as if he fully expected the other individual to just vanish.]

Oscar--that's really you, isn't it? How--when did you-?!

[The other knight turned at that, twirling the short sword in his hand and returning it to its sheath. Had his eyes flashed gold for a second? No, surely that was just exhaustion playing with Diarmuid's mind. That proud demeanor, that confident smirk, everything was precisely as he recalled.]

Did you think me so easily lost, Dián? [Even the old affectionate name he'd usually been annoyed by sounded like a tremendous relief, and Diarmuid immediately threw his arms around his old friend's shoulders.]

It has been far too long, I feared you would never--

[An impossible occurrence cut off the older knight's sentence. Impossible not because it was an act defying reality, but because it was something that would never, could never happen. Of all the swords drawn against Diarmuid in his lifetime, this one flash of silver would never have been guided with the purpose of drawing his own blood.]

[The quick motion had been the only warning the first knight of the Fianna had, and it was only barely enough. Though he moved aside as quickly as he was able, Oscar's sword cut a deep gash in Diarmuid's side. The pain hardly even registered through how completely unthinkable this was as he stumbled backwards.]

So you plan to be difficult again, do you? Things would be far easier if you stopped running like a coward and accepted your punishment, Diarmuid.

What are you talking about--?! [This was bad. He'd left Gae Dearg a distance behind him, and he wasn't even wearing armor; that much probably would have prevented this injury being as bad as it was.]

First you steal Grandfather's betrothed, now you take a woman devoted to someone else. I would almost feel sorry for you if I believed you did this accidentally.

[The other knight's eyes were definitely bright gold now, a malicious grin on his face.]

Y...you're not... [Diarmuid stumbled slightly, falling against the nearest streetlight for support.]

And of course you will not even defend yourself against me. All you can do is run and hide, right? [The thing that was and wasn't Oscar laughed coldly.] Shall we see if you can survive that way once more?

[He turned and disappeared into the darkness with that last taunting remark--or was it a challenge?--leaving Diarmuid to sink to the ground and wonder if he could stand up before he ended up bleeding to death.]

[...or if it was even worth trying.]

Comments

action; y u p

[ex_cashcow493]

[ What was that? Someone beating up on her waifu? In all honesty, perhaps Saber should have stopped to look over Lancer, to ensure his well-being. Unfortunately, she was the type that didn't like evil to get away.

So that flash of blue and silver rushing before his eyes to pursue his opponent? Definitely her. ]

You taunt a man for running and hiding, yet you intend to do the very same? [ Kind of missing Invisible Air right about now. ] Face me now and I shall show you some mercy!

saber pls

[croibhristeoir]

A-Arturia...

[He winced at the simple act of speaking, hand pressed over the injury in his side. Unfortunately, force of will alone probably wasn't going to make it stop bleeding.]

Arturia, don't--!

[His voice was sharp, almost desperate. Even if this was impossible, even if that couldn't possibly be who it looked like...Diarmuid still didn't want to see him hurt. It was so sentimental it was idiotic, but...he had no excuse. He just wouldn't be able to stand it if either of them were hurt.]

sorry but she gets stupid when loved ones are hurt please refer to Fate route for proof

[ex_cashcow493]

[ While many others would hear incessant roaring in their minds with a Persona like this, Saber could understood the voice that implores her to seek it's aid.

I'll find him, mortal child.

The mere thought of allowing a Persona to guide her in the hunt was normally unheard of, for Saber held her pride close to her chest, but the thought of abandoning Lancer behind while he bled awoken her to the reality. This has to be quick and concise so that she may return to his side. So with the cry of the tainted word to call him forth, she'd add on: ]

Seek them all out! [ The red dragon does so easily, flapping it's wings to create gusts of wind to guide the smaller woman down the streets.

So sup Shadow!Fianna, here for a boss fight, you gonna deliver or what? ]

but i don't wanna read fate route again :(

[croibhristeoir]

[For christ's sake he's going to have to drag himself after you isn't he. Saber y u do dis.]

[ANYWAY. BOSSFIGHT YOU SAY?]

So he has women fighting his battles now? How such a coward was ever accepted into our ranks is well beyond my understanding.

you could always watch the anime :) :) :)

[ex_cashcow493]

It is my oath to protect all within my kingdom. [ Ireland, Britain, they're kind of close aren't they? Perhaps she meant this place now knowing her. ] To strike down a man who was not armed to fight is a coward's action.

[ Besides, she told Lancer to rest. No point in letting him chase after this guy. ]

You will fight me and I will put your misguided spirit to rest.

...i'll go read fate route

[croibhristeoir]

Boldly spoken, girl. But you should stay out of the affairs of the Fianna where they do not involve you.

which is a crueler fate: reading tsukihime or watching the tsukihime anime

[ex_cashcow493]

I believe you made my involvement clear when you mentioned me.

[ Yes, she did hear that remark. ] Now fight me or die without the honor of doing so!

...what did i ever do to you

[croibhristeoir]

Very well. Dián's likely to be miserable all the same whether you live or die, if one assumes he survives himself.

[The knight in green drew his sword--a short one-handed blade, but something he seemed to have a good amount of skill with.]

I was just curious

[ex_cashcow493]

[ At least it's not a lance. She tends to get stabbed by those right at the start. ]

He will survive. [ She looks towards her Persona, as though instructing him to go and take care of the fallen knight. ] I will ensure it.

[ If Lancer is still chilling around, he's going to find a very big red dragon looking for him. A big red dragon that can cast Media should he be willing to accept it. ]

that's like choosing between hemlock and cyanide

[croibhristeoir]

[He's...somewhere. Trying not to die and looking for wherever you two morons went. Does the Luck stat ensure he completely misses the dragon? We'll see.]

You are wasting time. Come at me with everything you've got.

Sounds like a party really

[ex_cashcow493]

[ Seems like she can't even dick Lancer in Persona form. Woe. ]

Very well!

[ Pushing off from the tip of her toes, she rushes at him moderately fast for a girl her size, holding up the sword she carried with her in an offensive manner. ]

a corpse party maybe

[croibhristeoir]

[He shifted stances in an instant, raising his own sword in defense before moving to push her back and counter.]

[Strangely, there might have been some measure of familiarity to his steps and motions as the fight started.]

ain't no matter like a corpse party because a corpse party is macabre

[ex_cashcow493]

[ Even if there was, she's too fueled by anger at someone hurting Lancer. Her Lancer. Battle instinct be damned, she was running off of rage for once, leaving her movements sloppy, but concise enough to pick up a pattern with. ]

B|

[croibhristeoir]

[The whatever-he-was had a slightly haphazard fighting style as well--it was almost exactly like Diarmuid's, but unrefined and lacking his careful precision. It was the style of someone carefree and reckless, perhaps one who'd only half-listened to most of the lessons he'd been given.]

[He was definitely skilled and definitely a threat, but he left openings all over the place even as he struck like a sledgehammer.]

/dances like liz

[ex_cashcow493]

[ It's something she picks up quick enough and so she wastes no time in trying to take advantage of these openings; with a quick thrust, she intends to impale the side of his stomach with her blade. ]

ACTION GOD DAMMIT

[toruin]

[YOU GOD DAMN MORON EVEN THOUGH IT HAPPENS TO HIM LATER TOO --

SHUT UP.]

I need to get you out of here. [Your bro is here, don't worry Diarmuid. You're in good hands.] Can you walk?

[croibhristeoir]

I'm f-fine. I've had worse.

[You know. When he died.



Twice.]

[toruin]

I don't care. You're injured.

[Lately, he's been carrying bandages for moments like these. Because. It seems that Prospero has more than a few morons like himself.]

Who was that?

[croibhristeoir]

...

[A little hesitantly, Diarmuid took off what was left of his shirt so Neah could bandage the wound in his side. The hesitation came from the collection of scars that action revealed--a pair on his chest and midsection that matched ones on his back as though he'd been impaled twice. The smaller ones, the cuts and scratches from endless nights fighting in the Dark Hour...he was less concerned about those.]

That was...my brother.

[toruin]

[Neah gave one glance at his previous wounds. With a sigh, he shook his head.]

You fool. [Just going to casually wrap up this wound, so he doesn't bleed out.]

I wasn't aware you had a brother as well.

[croibhristeoir]

I...don't. [Not that he knows of, at least.]

His name was Oscar, another of the Fianna a few years younger than myself. We grew up together; he and his father were as much my family as anyone.

[Keep talking. It was that or pass out from blood loss.]

...I did not have many I would call close friends when I was alive, Neah. But if I had any at all, it would have been Oscar and his father.

[toruin]

Why did he attack you?

[He hands were stained crimson from Diarmuid's blood. This would... definitely attract attention from the shadows, if the scent of blood lingered for much longer.]

[croibhristeoir]

...

[Whether Diarmuid didn't answer because he didn't know how or because he was trying to stay conscious was unclear.]

...because it wasn't him. It isn't possible.

[toruin]

[Taking one glance at Diarmuid, he shakes his head.] We can talk about this later. I need to take you back to your room. If we stay, it could attract... unwanted attention.

Can you walk?

[croibhristeoir]

Yes. It looks worse than it is.

[No it doesn't. But he'll stand up anyway.]

Father's going to have a fit when he finds out about this.