⚔ 009; [video]

[croibhristeoir]

[Someday I'll stop spamming you guys. But in the immortal words of Aragorn, 'it is not this day'.]

We know little of this place. That much is obvious; we don't understand the Shadows, the Dark Hour, or the method and reason with which we were brought here.

But I've come to realize something--for myself and surely many of you, this place is another chance. I've been foolish, laboring under the belief that our situations back home still applied. Hiding behind my class name, allowing my former Master's words to affect me so severely...I was quite an idiot until recently. The normal rules no longer apply. Restrictions and standards we may have been held to before our arrival are nearly all meaningless now, and even those of us that were adversaries may as well be on the same side against the machinations of the Shadows and the world itself.

[Lancer reached up and took off his glasses to set them aside, gold eyes steady and calm.]

I don't understand how I arrived, but I know now why I am here--to accept this chance and live for myself. To do what I think is right rather than follow orders I don't believe in. Not live in service to another, and no longer live as less than who I am. And with this chance I am discarding the name of 'Lancer' as well as the position of Servant it implies.

[He took a deep breath, gaze fixed on the camera while he spoke in a determined, even tone.]

My name is Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, first knight of the Fianna once led by Fionn mac Cumhaill. I lived in Ireland at least two thousand years ago, eloped across the country with a woman named Gráinne, and eventually died at the age of twenty-five.

[Still as calm as when he began, Lancer spoke something as absurd and yet so simple as those plain facts.]

[Mainly because a) Gilgamesh pretty much wrecked all semblance of secrecy anyway and b) the Lawful Neutral guy just stopped giving a fuck.]

If you should think I'm utterly mad for such declarations? I really can't blame you. But after all that's happened, after the realization I've finally reached...I really don't care. Call me insane or deluded if you will. It won't be the worst insult I've had thrown at me, I assure you.

...Forgive me, I've already spoken far longer than I planned to. If you've listened at all, I appreciate the sentiment. I'm not even certain of what I hoped to accomplish with this. I've...spoken far more candidly in recent days than I ever thought I could. All I know for sure is that this could be my final chance at living. I will not spend it as a Servant.

If this life ends in failure, it will fail due to my own choices rather than circumstances I was forced into. And if it doesn't fail at all, then I imagine that's the best I could ask for.

Comments

[Video]

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

I'm sure I couldn't begin to understand how important saying this is for you. Congratulations.

[Video]

[croibhristeoir]

You're too kind. [He gave Issei a hesitant smile, looking awkward.]

It's something of a risk for several reasons, but I would rather take a risk than be known by a name I dislike so much.

[Video]

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

Please remind me sharply if I make a mistake. I assure you that it's accidental.

[Video]

[croibhristeoir]

It's alright. I'm hardly enforcing such a thing rigidly--people can call me what they will, but I felt it necessary to finally give out my true identity.

[video]

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

[This speaks to Kaiji on a weirdly similar level. Being a servant in a totally different way, of course.]

I know what you mean. I'm trying to look at it the same way. I've been given a second chance, and I figure that I shouldn't waste it. I... just wish I knew what the hell we were supposed to be doing here.

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

That much, I still have no answer for. Personally, all I can do for now is function as a knight should, and protect those who need it.

Until we find some kind of purpose for our arrival, there's little else we can do.

[video]

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

A knight, huh. I said something similarly a few weeks ago. That I'd try to fight along side with everyone while I'm here, for whatever it's worth. I'm no knight, to ancient hero or whatever the hell half the guys in this town are. For all we can do is try to live, sure, but... there's got to be more to it than that. There's got to be something else. I refuse to believe there's no reason for any of this.

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

I agree. Miracles such as the ones required to cross time and space as well as resurrect the dead are not used without some purpose.

But until those responsible for bringing us here explain somehow, I wonder if we'll ever understand what it is.

[Video]

[athngabla.livejournal.com]

[The first thing Lancer - that is, Cu Chulainn, says is with the lackadaisical, almost teasing tone he is so often found speaking in.]

Pretty roundabout way to suggest dropping the titles, don't you think? Though, hm, I hope I didn't prompt this declaration in part just by arriving here as, well, a fellow Lancer.

[The second thing, while still spoken in a manner qualified as "easy-going", is also in manner far more sincere.]

It sounds like this was weighing on you pretty heavily; the events from the fourth war especially. Glad you got it off your chest - how's it feel?

[Video]

[croibhristeoir]

Not particularly. Although it might be easier for everyone if just one of us was known as Lancer, and I really have no interest in the name anymore.

[He paused, considering that for a moment or two--he felt more or less as he had after fighting Saber. It was liberating, in a sense he couldn't quite describe.]

...Remarkable, actually. I've been having trouble shaking off just how miserable the war became for me, but...I think it's more or less alright now.

[Video]

[athngabla.livejournal.com]

While I don't really mind the title, I don't really have much attachment to it, either. 'sides, I already told you that you might as well call me by-name.

[Dryly, still grinning.] I think people from this time might have a bit of trouble with saying "Cu Chulainn."

Good to hear you're feeling better, anyway. A few days ago, talking about it made you sound like the entire world was falling apart.

[Video]

[croibhristeoir]

Heh. I assume my own would be only marginally easier for some people.

[A sigh.]

As far as I was concerned, it may as well have been. But that's alright, I suppose the worst of it is over.

[Video]

[namedforcat.livejournal.com]

A second chance hmm? [Diarmuid's situation hits a little too close to home with a lot of what he said.]

It must have taken a lot for you to break away from that thinking. It's hard to break that type of thought. [He knows this from experience.]

[Video]

[croibhristeoir]

What else could we really call it? I know many here that met unfortunate ends before arriving here.

No, I never expected it to be a simple matter. Certainly not this simple, but I'm going to try.

[Video]

[namedforcat.livejournal.com]

Now that you've said it out loud, I'm sure you'll find it a bit easier to keep going forward. It's that first step that is always the hardest.

[Video]

[croibhristeoir]

Perhaps that's true, yes. I'd hope things would get simpler from here.

[Video]

[skaldssong.livejournal.com]

[There's a slight pause between the feed going on and Devola actually speaking, the woman taking another moment to mentally parse her words.]

Well... I certainly can't begrudge you the metaphorical casting off of chains, but I dunno if I'd say all of us would be as inclined as to totally ignore our old situations. Unfinished business, old grudges, stuff like that -- some of 'em are hard to throw away, I think.

You're right though. At the very least, we should put everything aside and deal with what's in front of us. That being... well, Prospero. The Shadows. Whatever else this world's got waiting for us.

[Video]

[croibhristeoir]

You're right as well, Devola. It surely isn't too easy for everyone to start over, unfortunately.

We all have a common enemy, regardless. Ideally we would be able to fight them together, but I doubt that will ever be entirely the case.

[Video]

[skaldssong.livejournal.com]

Mm. It's a tempting idea though. Then again as someone who's still... well, alive, at home, I can only guess at why this second-chance is so tempting.

Oh, I don't know. I think a common enemy would be able to bring all types of people together, assuming they can set aside the issue of ego.

[Video]

[crownedexorcist]

[A second chance, in a world with the war and dealing with Neah taking over his body. It sound very good.]

No, you're not mad.

[Video]

[croibhristeoir]

I'm glad to hear it. I'd worry if people here started thinking me insane after all this time.

[Video]

[crownedexorcist]

After what we've seen in the city, it's not quite as far fetched to believe you.

[video]

[buttery-tech.livejournal.com]

That's... a lot to get off your chest, Sir, uh, Diarmuid. Am I saying that right?

And, really don't think you're that crazy. I mean, I'm a guy who runs around in multi-colored spandex trying to save people from aliens. Your life sounds a lot more believable than mine to anyone.

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

Just calling me Diarmuid is fine. There's no real need for such formality.

I appreciate it, but...sorry, 'aliens'?

[video]

[buttery-tech.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you know. There's a lot of them living on Earth. Well, in my time period. Some of them are slimy, some of them are scaly. Big, tall. They come in all shapes and sizes, really. Funny to think humans once thought they were all little green men.