⚔ 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

[ex_cashcow493]

[ It's effective enough to rip at her gown and leave a minor cut, the sting snapping Saber free from her rage. Stumbling back, she'll resume holding onto her sword with both hands, staring him down. ]

I cannot allow you to hurt him.

[croibhristeoir]

You are a little late for that.

[He struck again with barely any hesitation, this time aiming for her hands to knock away the sword she held.

[ex_cashcow493]

[ Refusing to let go go of the sword results in a loud crack from one of her hands. It wouldn't be the first time she's been unable to use a hand in combat, so it doesn't bother her in the slightest as she swings towards his form. ]

Shut up!

[croibhristeoir]

[Well, if that's what you want...]

[He didn't say anything in response to that, instead striking out with a few more cuts aimed at her legs and arms.]

[ex_cashcow493]

[ Small whimpers leave her as she falters in pain, but still she refuses to give in. She meets his blade with her own, intending to see this out to the very end.

See the S in her name stands for Stubborn. ]

[croibhristeoir]

[Sorry, did someone call for a half-dead dumbass? Because there he was, leaning on a wall and bleeding all over the place.]

Cu Chulainn--!

[His Persona struck out with a silver-white lance crackling with electricity, forcing the thing in the form of his friend backwards.]

My apologies, Arturia--I'd not meant to take so long.

[ex_cashcow493]

Diarmuid!

[ She's horrified to see that he's still up and running. Damn it, where did that useless dragon run off to? Like a guy, she can't keep her dick under control. ]

Allow me to finish this. You should be calling for help!

[croibhristeoir]

I'm fine.

[No he wasn't. But if anything, none of the Fianna would die quite so easily. Doing quite an excellent job of hiding how much pain he was in and how close he was to falling over, Diarmuid stepped between the two of them with his back to Saber.]

You'll want to go the other direction in order to run away, Dián.

[He didn't lash out with a response or even speak at all for a moment. Diarmuid's eyes narrowed dangerously at that, and if looks could kill half the city would be dead. No matter what he looked like, there was no room for mercy or hesitation. Even if it would hurt, even if it broke his heart...Diarmuid knew exactly what he had to do.]

...

[ex_cashcow493]

[ As if she would allow him to stand between the two, Saber moving quickly to his side. Although now she just carried her sword with one hand as she discovered quickly that using her other hand was crippling more than advancing her pursuit in the battle. ]

I ask you to rest a while and here we are in a fight the very next day. [ Her breathing is heavy as she slumps against his arm. ] Typical, is it not?

[croibhristeoir]

That is just my luck, is it not? Think nothing of it--we'll be able to withdraw and plan properly soon enough.

[The air hummed and crackled with electricity, the armored Persona beside him holding his lance at the ready. If someone or something was trying to anger him? It worked. An immense amount of power was gathering at no more than a thought, and at one word it was unleashed:]

...Ziodyne.

[Lightning arced from the sky as well as the Persona's lance, crashing to earth and cracking the ground below. If their enemy hadn't been vaporized, then by the time the dust cleared it was evident he had most likely made a tactical retreat. Just as well; Diarmuid likely would have kept doing that until he collapsed from the strain.]

[ex_cashcow493]

[ Sure hope he's ready to fall into her arms, because there's no way she's going to do that herself. Instead, she'll move to put her sword away for now, seeing that there was no other immediate threat in the area.

Thank you based Enemy Radar. ]

That was simple. [ Too simple, but often at times she doesn't think to use sorcery. ] Will you be well enough to travel or should I carry you?

[croibhristeoir]

I can still walk.

[His voice was slightly cold, as if he was trying to keep a measure of distance from the situation at hand.]

Let's go home before anything else happens.

[ex_cashcow493]

Yes, let us return home.

[ Her walk will have a bit of a limp to it, but her pride refuses to allow her to lean fully on him. ]

That Shadow was unlike any of the others I have seen. [ Stating the obvious, but she's like that. It's part of her charm. ] Does this mean there are others like it in the area? My Persona failed to pick up anything else.

[croibhristeoir]

I would not be surprised if there were.

[Just as well, really--with how he was faltering every few steps, even Saber's weight might have knocked him over.]

[And he was still planning to go back out before the Dark Hour was over to make sure everyone was alright. What an idiot.]

[ex_cashcow493]

[ As if she will let him do that. Good luck drugging her. ]

Then once I escort you home, I will go out and eliminate the rest.

[croibhristeoir]

[HE WILL CLIMB OUT A WINDOW.]

You can't honestly think I will just stand idle while everyone else is in danger.

[ex_cashcow493]

What good will you be to anyone when you are bleeding out your side, Diarmuid?

[ Harshly spoken. ]

[croibhristeoir]

I can still manage well enough.

[ex_cashcow493]

I cannot allow it. [ Sternly said. ]

My apologies, Diarmuid. I know you are disappointed.

[croibhristeoir]

I'm not disappointed, I'm outright refusing.

[ex_cashcow493]

You would deny me? [ She sounds hurt almost. ]

[croibhristeoir]

On this matter, I'm afraid I have to.

[ex_cashcow493]

You wound my heart in a way I never thought possible. [ A sigh. ] Then I will just have to eliminate all of the threats before you get a chance to!

[croibhristeoir]

I'm sorry. But I feel protecting everyone here is as much my duty as it is yours.

[ex_cashcow493]

We can tend to the matter of my broken heart when I make my return. [ Leaning up with her hand, she'll try to stroke his cheek gently. ] At least get bandaged up first. I might cry if I have to spend a night without you.