oathshackledbird | Ruby City Mailbox/Inbox

He was certainly making an effort, I'll give him that.

[youtried.jpg]

But he did always come through when it counted. Much as Jojo complains about every plane he's in crashing, he manged to crash them all without killing us. And he helped Jotaro cheat to win against a Stand user that stole my soul. [Um. What.] Admittedly I still don't know all the details of that last one.

[Diarmuid blinks in surprise when he hears those last words.]

A Stand user who stole your soul? Is there no end to the things that Stands can do?

[Even as he asks the question, Diarmuid gets the feeling he really doesn't want to know the answer to that question.]

Of course not. [Kakyoin being Kakyoin, he sounded a little eager as he gave that answer.] Stands are just as varied as the people who have them; anything is possible. Mr. Joestar's Hermit Purple was useless in combat, but it was amazing at taking psychic photographs and discerning information through screens and cameras. Gold Experience and Star Platinum are on the other end of the scale; they have a wide range of abilities. Giorno and Jojo can use them to do nearly anything.

[Realizing he was brushing the edge of a lecture on Stands 101, Kakyoin smiled a little sheepishly and took another drink.]

That was one of the D'Arby brothers. Basically what the pair of them did was get someone to wager their soul in a game. If their victim admitted defeat in their heart and thought 'there's no way I can win', their Stands--Osiris for the older brother Daniel, and Atum for the younger brother Terence--took it. I believe the elder brother specialized in card games, I was in the hospital when the others fought him.

I bet my soul in a video game and lost. D'Arby cheated, of course--if I remember correctly, they mentioned his Stand effectively being able to read his opponent's mind.

[Sighing, he shook his head.]

...That was kind of a long day. First Pet Shop, then D'Arby, then Polnareff and the others dealt with Vanilla Ice...then the sun went down and everything was even more of a disaster.

[Fortunately for Kakyoin, Diarmuid is very interested in Stands 101. It's a topic he's wanted to know more about, but has been uneasy asking about because Stands are not just a power. They are a part of that person's soul.

His brow furrows as he listens. A theory is starting to form in his head, and he has no idea if it is true or not. Well, no better time than now to ask, right?]

Does the power focus have anything to do with range on a Stand? I already know that Hierophant Green is long ranged, but from what I have seen of Star Platinum and Gold Experience they both stay very close to their partners.

[Granted, he has only seen Gold Experience once, but he was always just over Giorno's shoulder during that time.]

Gambling, I should have guessed. So many cannot refuse a challenge. I'm guilty of it myself, though I generally don't straight out gamble. My luck is not good enough for that.

I suppose that a Stand that can steal souls would easily be able to read them. But you say Joseph helped Jotaro cheat to save you? How did he do that?

[Curiosity peaked. Diarmuid seriously wants to know how a Stand that can make psychic pictures and gather information managed to beat a Stand that could read a person's very soul.]

It was a Hell of a day. No better way than that to put it, but it is a day that is passed and you're here now.

[Diarmuid reaches out to give Kakyoin's arm a comforting squeeze.]

Want me to get you a refill?

In theory, yes. Close range ones like Star Platinum and Gold Experience often carry much more in the way of physical power. Long-range Stands tend to be much weaker on average, like Hermit Purple. I've also heard it said that Stands in general are proportionally weaker the further they move from their users, but that's never applied to me. So I don't know if we're an exception or if it only applies in certain cases.

As for how he cheated, it's not as impressive as you're thinking. Clever, but not impressive. Mr. Joestar just used Hermit Purple to play the game when it looked like Jojo was the one doing it. D'Arby was reading the wrong person the entire time.

[You do not out-cheat Joseph Joestar.]

You don't have to get up. I can reach the kitchen from here without a problem.

I was going to say, I never noticed Hierophant Green seeming weaker just because he was at a distance from you. That either means you are the exception to the rule or you are just that good.

[The grin on Diarmuid's face makes it pretty clear which explanation he favors. Maybe he is just biased because he has seen Kakyoin use his Stand the most out of the Stand users in the city, but Diarmuid very firmly believes the red head to be one of the most skilled in the city. Equal to, and maybe even better than Jotaro. Of course, he has always thought that fighting smart was more difficult than just overwhelming someone with sheer power.

The respect he has for Kakyoin and Hierophant Green might also be why it always throws him whenever his friend mentions doing something so mundane as refilling a drink with his Stand.

Diarmuid laughs.]

Ah, true, true. That you can.

I don't know. I still think the plan was a pretty impressive one. It took a quick thinker to come up with it and some pretty good teamwork not to give it away.

As I said, it was very clever. Childish as he might be, he excels at 'clever' when it counts. And as much as Jojo complains about him driving us crazy, they're not a bad team.

[Kakyoin shrugged, Hierophant reaching out like a particularly flexible snake to make its way into the kitchen and refill both coffee cups as its user continued. Respectable or not, his Stand was something he'd come to regard as an extra pair of hands--or several. Using it for mundane things was just normal.]

I certainly wouldn't complain, it put my soul back where it should be.

'Clever' can be one of those very annoying things when it is used at the wrong time. However, when used at the right time, it can't be beat.

[When his cup is returned to the table refilled, Diarmuid gives Hierophant Green a nod of thanks before taking a sip.]

I can't even begin to imagine how disorienting that was.

[Diarmuid stops and pales slightly when his mind drifts to wonder how extra horrible it had to have felt to Jotaro to have won Kakyoin's soul back only to lose his friend permanently not long after. After a moment, though, he forces those thoughts away. Hopefully, before Kakyoin notices.]

It was not, shall we say, a very comfortable sensation.

[Hurt like all holy shit, in other words. Hierophant retreated behind its user, reforming to wrap its arms loosely over Kakyoin's shoulders.]

...Diarmuid? Are you alright?

[Oops. Busted.

Diarmuid's hands tighten around the cup making it creak with the pressure. His eyes focus on it, refusing to look at Kakyoin or the Stand draped around his shoulders.]

Ever since I came back to the city my mind has had a tendency to wander down...dark paths, lets call them. Places it doesn't need to go. That was just one of those times. Sorry.

...Well, we're already talking.

[He tilted his head slightly, giving Diarmuid an encouraging smile.]

So I'm listening, if you want to say something.

I...

[The cup creaks in his hands again, but he doesn't dare to put it down. Diarmuid needs to keep something in his hands or else he's not going to be able to keep talking.]

It's the nightmares I think. I keep waking up feeling like I have been smothered or chased by something dark, angry and rage-filled, but that something is part of me and I can't ever get away from it. It's casting a shadow over me and it makes it easier for my mind to drift.

[His voice drops very low.]

For a moment, I couldn't help wondering how extra terrible it must have felt for Jotaro to lose you again so soon after getting you back. I'm sorry.

...

[The smile dropped off his face pretty quickly, Kakyoin raising one hand to rest on Hierophant's arm.]

I was telling someone not very long ago that anger tends to be an easy response. It can be all that someone has left to fall back on after exhausting everything else. 'Anger or emptiness' isn't a great set of options, but it's not as though anger itself is always a detriment. It's just...a matter of getting a handle on it.

[Which was something Kakyoin tended to forget how to do on some occasions.]

...I'm really...worried about him. Jojo's insistent that we're going to figure this whole thing out so that I can get out of here alive, and I believe him--no matter how impossible it is, he can do anything. But even so, I- [Kakyoin hesitated, carefully thinking over his words before continuing.]

He shouldn't have to deal with this. None of us should.

Having a handle on it is part of my problem. I've never been that great at controlling my emotions and dealing with emotions I know so little about just makes it that much harder.

[Before he breaks the cup in his hands, Diarmuid forces them into motion lifting the cup to his lips so he can drink. He can't help but flinch a little when he realizes his hands are shaking. To hide it, as he lows the cup, his fingers tighten around it again.]

I know. Those who are capable always carry more than their fair share of pain and responsibility. Call it Fate or destiny, but either way it finds them.

[He is quiet for several moments before finally turning his gaze toward Kakyoin.]

I don't worry for him so much as long as you are with him. I wasn't kidding when I said you two make a good pair. There is so much balance between you.

[Or, as the old phrase goes, they make up two parts of the same whole.]

I think you know my stance on that, though. I'm intending to find a way for you to go home with him as well. Does it help any to know he's not alone in his task?

No time like the present to learn, right? [Kakyoin's voice was steady, setting his own cup down to briefly place a hand over Diarmuid's.] Careful--you don't want to break that.

[Anything broke under enough pressure. When that started to become a real risk, it was up to people like Kakyoin to intervene.]

I think now...either he knows he's not alone, or he's getting used to the idea. Back home it was always the Joestar legacy, the fate of their bloodline, all this absurdity centered on a kid who never asked for it. Right now I'm not sure if he realizes this doesn't have to all be on his shoulders. [He shook his head, leaning back in his chair with Hierophant still over his shoulders.]

It's difficult even for me to read him when things get like this. But the two of us are each other's perfect complement, and with Giovanna we're a perfect trio. No matter how close we end up getting, we're not going to break.

[Pausing to take a drink of his coffee, Kakyoin turned thoughtfully quiet for a moment.]

It was...it would have to have been November, I think. January sixteenth minus fifty days...so I met him on November twenty-eighth. And I came here in June, so...

[Pausing to do some quick math, Kakyoin laughed to himself.]

...I've only known him for less than a year? It feels like so much longer. And we've known Giovanna for even less time than that.

Ah...

[Diarmuid bows his head, slightly embarrassed that he actually needs someone to tell him to calm down and be careful. Still, the look in his eyes as he glances down at Kakyoin's hand on his is grateful. He forces his fingers to relax on the cup and takes a deep breath.]

It's pretty lucky to have made it this long. Thank you.

[Destiny. Fate. It really is absurd that so much is centered on Jotaro and his family. It's like the whole line had a geis placed on them that just keeps getting passed down no matter what else the generation before did to take care of it. Of course, it is one thing if they accepted or asked for such a thing. It's another when it's just forced on them.

He has strong feelings about having a geis forced on someone. Can't imagine why.]

I am sure he knows it, but it is one of those things he is always going to be fighting with himself to accept. It's just like I will likely always be fighting with the idea it is okay not to always be the perfect knight.

[When Kakyoin mentions Giorno, a knowing look crosses Diarmuid face. He can't say he is surprised at all that the blonde meshes so well with Jotaro and Kakyoin. It just makes sense.]

I don't know if they have this concept where you are from, but many cultures believe in what are called old souls. Not only that, they believe in souls that are bound together and who meet again life after life. They may not remember previous lives, but there is always that feeling of fitting together perfectly and of having known someone forever.

[He pauses to take a sip from his coffee cup.]

I am pretty sure not only are the three of you old souls, but you are old souls who have traveled through existence together for a very long time.

I'm familiar with the idea; the concept of reincarnation and things like that aren't unheard of where I'm from. I don't know if I put much value in it, I'm not particularly superstitious.

[Shrugging, his hand moved to Hierophant's arm again.]

But who really knows, I guess. At this point I might just believe anything.

I suppose it is easier for me to believe in those kind of things because of where and when I grew up.

[His expression falls a little as he notices how Kakyoin's hand keeps drifting back to Hierophant Green. When Diarmuid speaks again, his voice is softer and a little worried.]

What are you thinking about?

Hm? Oh, sorry. I'm just...a little tired, that's all.

[Diarmuid hopes that is all it is. He's noticed how often Hierophant Green acts as a comfort or even a security blanket for times when Kakyoin himself is uneasy. But, being tired doesn't seem like an unlikely answer either considering how much is going on.]

Do you want to catch a nap before you head out? There are plenty of empty rooms and you know Jotaro will just get more stressed if he thinks you are ignoring your own health to take care of him.

No, I think that I'll be fine. I've even been sleeping a little better for the most part.

[Which was entirely true, judging by how he didn't hesitate to admit it.]

It's just been a lot to handle, that's all.

[Diarmuid can't help but smile at the good news. He raises his cup as if in toast and then takes a drink before speaking.]

It has been a lot, but things will hopefully get better from here.

...I really hope that you're right.

Ruby City Mailbox/Inbox

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

How DARE you use such a happy looking icon. HOW DARE! LOL!

ooooops

ooops...riiiight

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject