oathshackledbird | Ruby City Mailbox/Inbox

Current Location: Spiral Training School

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Ruby City Mailbox/Inbox

You have found the Mailbox/Inbox of Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, owner and teacher of the training school, Spiral. If you have business with him or the school, please feel free to leave a message and he will get back to you as soon as possible. Considering his abilities, that might be quicker than you think...

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She contacted me not long after she found out he was here because she wanted advice on how she should tell him about herself. Something happened when she was talking to me, though. Another conversation and it make her fall apart. I couldn't just let her face all that pain alone. In the past I faced giants and whole armies on my own. Your family can be fearsome, but it won't scare me away. It is only like that because of how much you all care for each other. I know that there is a lot I don't know and it's not my place to ask. I just hope that my lack of knowledge doesn't accidentally end up hurting someone someday.

Oh. Yeah, I think I know what happened, then. This is all so complicated.

[And painful. And so many other things, but if she lets herself linger on those feelings for too long she'll fall apart again. Let's not do that today.]

If you're coming from a place of caring, I think it's well within your right to ask. She's been on her own for so long, she needs someone on her side. I don't know everything, but if you have questions, I can try to answer them as best I can.

Complicated is an understatement. I thank you for your offer, but since I am going to be spending some time with her, I think I will see what she has to tell me first. Even though I am coming from a place of caring, I feel it is important to let a person tell what they would tell in their own words.

[It's a matter of respect for him.]

However, if you don't mind there is one question I would ask you.

You're a good man.

[Is there enough flour in the city for the amount of cookies she needs to bake for this man? That's a good question.]

Go ahead. I'm not going to go back on my offer so quickly.

And you are a good woman. Perhaps between the two of us we can keep everyone from falling apart.

[Diarmuid doesn't say it out loud, but it is obvious where Jotaro gets a good deal of his strength from.]

It's not the kind of question that would make you want to take back your offer, don't worry. I just wanted to ask you how you are doing. Is there anything you need?

[She has to be hurting too and he wants to make sure she is taking time for herself. Joseph is her father, after all.]

Perhaps. That's the goal.

[And perhaps she'd be more optimistic, if the cause of the problem were literally anyone else. For all people think she's strong - her son included - she sure doesn't feel like it right now.

It takes a bit longer for her answer to come, but it does, eventually.]

I'm coping. What else is there to do? My son and his friends are looking out for me, and I'm trying not to feel bad about worrying them. Though unfortunately that's easier said than done.

[She hates it. More than anything else about this situation, she hates that these children are worrying over her when they're hurting themselves. And she knows that's not being fair to herself - Jotaro said as much the day before - but Holly's always been a woman ruled by her heart, and simple logic is not enough to change the way she feels.]

It's hard, isn't it? I spent my whole life helping others and even now when I worry people, I feel bad about it. I am suppose to be helping them, not adding to their burdens. Sometimes, though, it seems like letting them carry that burden actually makes it easier for them? People often draw strength from knowing they have someone to watch out for.

[It's an idea that Diarmuid is still trying to make himself remember. Worrying about people and being able to focus on helping them gives him a goal to work toward, but he is not the only one. A great many people do the very same thing.]

I've gotten to the point where I just have to remind myself that I trust my friends and family not to take on more than they can handle.

This is going to sound bad, but I don't know if I can? When I look at Jotaro, sometimes it seems like he's carrying the entire world on his shoulders. And he's so kind, he's always looking out for everyone else.

It's as you said, I'm his mother, I shouldn't be adding to that weight.

He went through hell to save my life.

[She manages to get that out, then stops. Too much, too fast. Diarmuid understands, so much so that it's almost uncanny, but she's still essentially a stranger. You don't just dump that on someone without a history.]

I'm sorry, my thoughts are all over the place. You're right, of course. Maybe I just need to start telling myself that too.

[Maybe.]

Believe me, it doesn't sound bad. You're his mother and if my children were here, I would feel the same way. Especially if I knew the burdens they were carrying were anywhere near what Jotaro has had to carry.

[Sometimes Diarmuid completely forgets how young Jotaro and Kakyoin are. They have been through so much and act so mature because of that.

~~Not to mention they are so tall...~~]

You don't need to apologize. You have as much right, if not more, than others to be unsettled by what has happened. I just hope that soon you will be able to find some peace of mind again.

[~~Even Davidpro forgot how young they are--~~]

Thank you, Diarmuid. For everything.

[She actually used his name, stop the presses.]

You're never going to want for honey treats again, if I have anything to say about it.

You are more than welcome. Anytime I can be of assistance, you know where to find me.

[He can't help but laugh, even if she can't see it.]

Don't give me too many. I might end up not being able to move, and how can I help people like that?

You know my family. Restraint isn't exactly a strong suit of ours.

[Joking is better than crying. Soooo much better.]

[That is a sentiment that Diarmuid will completely agree with.]

Well then, if I want to be able to keep coming and going at the school without being buried in honey treats, I will just have to start working on that expansion I was thinking about.

See! I'm offering motivation!

[HELPING!!]

Let us know if you need any help with that. The boys did a good job with the house, and I'm sure they'd be willing to pitch in a bit at the school.

[And if not there's always puppy-dog eyes.]

Indeed you are! Another thing I have to thank you for.

[He ponders her offer for a few moments before replying.]

If they have time and wish to, they are more than welcome to stop by and help. I still feel bad that the city kept me from being able to help them with the repairs to the house.

It's okay. I wasn't in a position to help much, either. But it got built in the end and that's what matters. I'm also sure there will probably be opportunity for upgrading or expanding in the future, anyway.

Besides, weren't we just saying we shouldn't feel bad about things outside of our control?

[Oops, busted.]

Oh...I did say that, didn't I? I should probably listen to my own advice more.

[Someday he will get better at that. Someday.]

But if people keep arriving from your world at the speed they have been, you will definitely need to expand sooner rather than later.

How about we make a deal? I'll keep an eye out for you falling into that habit, and you'll look out for me. Maybe it'll be easier for us to accept that way.

[And maybe she won't be as resistant to it, coming from someone who understands.]

Hopefully, they'll give us a break to do that! I can't say I'd mind too much if the city would slow down a bit, hehe.

[Except for when it comes to one person in particular, but she's starting to think the city's not as interested in Kujos as it is Joestars.]

Deal.

[Diarmuid agrees without hesitation. He knows he listens to his own advice better when he hears it from another, so maybe that will work for her too.]

Hopefully, but even if that is not the case, the joy of having those missed family members with you again will make up for it, yes?

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