Diarmuid Ua Duibhne (Lancer)
COURT Seelie (Neutral Leanings)
TITLE
- Knight of the Golden Cadre
- Maskhunter/Hartslayer
- Shield of the Cothromach
- Champion of Redgate
OCCUPATION Knight/Trainer
ABLE TO FAST-TRAVEL
- Servant ability to travel at up to 100 times normal human speed.
- A ring given to him by Alyosha that allows him to teleport himself only pretty much anywhere.
- A ring given as a boon that will allow him to teleport to the side of any Seelie shardbearer if their life is in immediate danger.
COMMUNICATION METHODS
RESIDENCE IN 2,701 Cu Chulainn's castle, Dun Dealgan, south of Daonna, his rooms at Alyosha's villa, and occasionally his rooms at Caer Glaem when he is working on his personal training ground.
RESIDENCE IN 2,702 His rooms at Alyosha's villa, and occasionally, his rooms at Caer Glaem when he is working on his personal training ground. As of May, he will be invited to move into Flora's villa in Leathann.
MAJOR EVENTS
MASTER/SERVANT BOND CREATED W/ALYOSHA. [ ✖ ]
SETS UP HIS PERSONAL TRAINING GROUND AT CAER GLAEM. [ ✖ ]
CSI: DAONNA. [ ✖ ]
BECOMES A CAPTAIN IN THE RED HAND. [ ✖✖
]
MAJOR CHANGES
POST BATTLE:
- His right arm is missing at the shoulder.
- There are several 'bleed over' effects from his Master/Servant bond with Alyosha because various factors. These include:
- When his emotions are high (especially when he is angry) he will grow fangs and the pupils of his eyes will slit like a snake's eyes.
- He will crave blood whenever his energy levels are low or whenever Alyosha is strongly craving it herself. This is partly because of her being a vampire, but also because on his world, blood is one of the things that carries magical energy and so he knows it is a source of gaining that energy should he need it.
- Because of Alyosha's shadow magic, when Diarmuid uses his fire ring, the fire summoned will be shadow tinted instead of normal.
- Unspecified bleed over from the sigil magic that is so tightly tied to her.
POST TIMESKIP:
- No longer introduces himself as 'Lancer.' Instead, he uses his real name.
- Diarmuid's fighting style shifts to something reminiscent of Capoeira. His right leg is used as much as possible in place of his missing right arm, and as a result of that, his right leg now is lightly armored from knee to foot with armor that is much like that which was once on his left arm. His boot has also been modified with a hidden blade. The blade can be released with a certain tap of his foot giving him a second weapon should he need it.
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SUMMARY OF KNOWN DETAILS
If Diarmuid was confused going into the battle, he is even more so coming out of it. Both castles lie in ruins, untold numbers are dead on all sides, and who knows how many worlds went with them? What good came of all of it? None. None that Diarmuid can see. As a result, he is pushed even more toward favoring the neutral side. Deep down, he no longer fully considers himself Seelie. The golden cloak that marks him as a knight of the Golden Cadre is not a badge of honor, but a reminder that even knights can take the wrong path. After he recovers from losing his right arm and spends some time learning to fight again, he will focus on strengthening his bonds with his family and friends. It doesn't matter what side they are on for he does not see them as Seelie or Unseelie. They are family. They are friend. That is all that matters. When not helping Alyosha, his new Master, and fighting the Neutral fight, he will also spend time training others, building his personal training ground at Caer Glaem, and...breeding bandersnatches? Well, at least trying. Who knows if the bandersnatches will cooperate...
Of course, all of that will be put to the side when it comes time to spoil babbins and mercenar-- Err, wait, that should be spoiling babbins and LEADING mercenaries. That's better...
PLANS
- Recover from his injuries both physically and mentally.
- Adjust to his new Master/Servant bond with Alyosha and the bleed over.
- Learn to fight again. (Looking into a new arm will come later.)
- Work on getting the personal training ground he has been granted built to his specifications.
- Meet with Lancelot to discuss worries etc about Tarz's tactics.
- Keep in contact with his Unseelie friends. Find ways to meet with them despite the crack down on cross court interaction.
- Spend more time with Grainne.
- Teach fighting and shard training as requested.
- Tag team fighting with his new Master so they can learn to be badasses together. :-D
- Do whatever he can to help the Neutral side.
- Go hunting for new bandersnatch friends with Alice.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
Things Occurring THROUGHOUT the Timeskip
- Working on his training grounds at Caer Glaem.
- Learning to fight again/Practicing with his shard.(Alyosha and Lancelot will help.)
- Training others to fight/use their shards.
- Becoming used to his bond with Alyosha and the overflow from it.
SPRING IN 2,701 (Mar, Apr, May)
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- MARCH -
- Ask Rin to enchant the necklace he got from Merida so he can contact all Seelie/Unseelie with it (Late Feb).
- Talk to Politezerker about his arm. (Late Feb)
- Recovery from losing his arm. (Both mental and physical.)
- Visits the new Barrel.
- Check in on Kayneth.
- Meet Gilgamesh.
- Visit Zuko at Azure to help unfreeze things and for fire training.
- More unfreezing and fire training with Merida.
- Finds a strange and very large egg...
- Begin work on his training ground in Caer Glaem after a handwaved talk with John and Lancelot(Flora will help with terrains).
- Long talk (and cry session) with Grainne about his arm, her losing the baby, and other things from her time back home (handwaved).
- Talking to Lancelot about Tarz.
- Check in with Saber now that she has had time to calm down.
- Go hunting for bandersnatches with Alice.
- APRIL -
- Travel to the Cothromach and renew his vows to it and Sansa. Talk about ferry system work.
- Meeting Aslan at Caer Glaem (Training Grounds).
- Teach Hikaru (Lucifer) to use her(his) shard @ the Station.
- Trip to the Barrel to celebrate his birthday.
- The strange egg hatches right around his birthday. Congratulations Diarmuid! It's a fluffy green bird?!? Well, at least it's not a dinosaur...
- MAY -
- Map out the waterways around the Cothromach for Sansa & the ferry project.
- Hunt golden swans with Thrall (get at least two--one for Caer and one for Aengus)
- Start training Oscar the bandersnatch to hunt.
- Work on the training grounds with Flora.
- Drop into the Art Gallery Opening in Parrais.
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| SUMMER IN 2,701 (Jun, Jul, Aug) |
- JUNE -
- Training for those who wish it: Gilgamesh-shard.
- Goes to the Treun tournament. Observes, but does not participate because of his arm. Bonds with Merida.
- Meets Javik at the tournament.
- Acts as Alyosha's witness at the duel between her and Hermione.
- JULY - CSI: Daonna (Quest)--Sent to Daonna after the hangings to investigate for Waver. Interview Alice, Merida, Faolan. Work with Sara & Politezerker. Lén accompanies Diarmuid to help.
- AUGUST -
- Fire training with Merida.
- Talk with her about battle/Master stuff.
- Meeting Remus Lupin.
- Golem hunting with Javik.
- Visit the Cothromach's Markets.
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| FALL IN 2,701 (Sept, Oct, Nov) |
- SEPTEMBER -
- Heartbreak: Grainne is sent home from the Drabwurld.
- Language kerfuffle! Just how close to Gaelic is Drabbish anyway?
- Help Alice with her orphanage.
- Training: Gilgamesh/Work on the Training Grounds
- OCTOBER -
- Samhain!
- Meet the Black Shuck
- Meets Sam.
- Anniversary of his arrival.
- NOVEMBER -
- Hunts inmates.
- Protects others from the inmates.
- Meets up with Lancelot to talk.
- Becomes co-parents to a bunch of mercs with John Grimm.
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| WINTER IN 2,701/2,702 (Dec, Jan, Feb) |
- DECEMBER -
- Yule! Silliness with Fox Merida.
- Hunt the White Hart. Slays him with Katsa. Reward: 200 gold pieces, a while cloak and the title of Hartslayer until the next hunt comes around.
- Anniversary of the Fox Hunt.
- JANUARY -
- Shard Training.
- Working on his Training Grounds.
- 'Learning' to relax a little with Kaldur.
- Meeting up with Gilgamesh at Caer Glaem.
- FEBRUARY -
- Runs into Grell at the Noa Woods for sparring.
- Goes to Parrais for the Ostara Feast.
- 1 year anniversary with Alyosha.
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| SPRING IN 2,702 (Mar, Apr) |
- MARCH -
- Fight zombies.
- Visits Lumina's Chocobo Ranch and does some undead removal. Gets a new friend for Aengus?
- Learning to fight again complete.
- APRIL -
- Shelters his fairy groupies to keep them safe.
- Work on his training grounds at Caer Glaem finishes.
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oathshackledbird) wrote2011-08-04 01:48 am
no subject
Though Ea howls to greet its opponent, Gilgamesh's expression is strangely soft. Reminiscent. Kind. They will fight as Servants, but they will not fight as mortal foes. It's important to remind him of this.]
Be at peace, Diarmuid. I spare your life this day. I swear it upon the grace and glory of my crown.
[And that's a very serious vow, indeed. Gilgamesh too assumes an appropriate stance himself, Ea wielded like a spear in his grip.]
One touch. One touch from this sword, and it's over. You yield. I yield likewise to the point of your lance. Therefore, it's a contest of speed, elegance, and grace, just as you were instructed.
[Can you do it? His eyes dare it of Diarmuid. He may be courting, but he's also challenging him in a way they both know down to their bones. This is what Servants were made for. This is the honorable duel Diarmuid had wanted all along.]
Come at me when you're ready. I won't hold back in any other regard.
no subject
One touch and done. Agreed, but do not worry. I am at peace. How could someone not be at peace in the face of such greatness? Besides, no matter the outcome--win or lose, life or death--to face such a king and such a weapon is an honor.
[He bows his head acknowledging king, sword, and the rules of engagement. As he does, he catches that challenging look in Gilgamesh's eyes and feels a rush of passion fill him. Every bit of himself suddenly feels as if it is on fire and full of life. These kinds of battles. They are what Diarmuid lives for and he finds them so rarely. They are gifts. They are treasures.
He will cherish every moment of this.]
Sing for us Ageless One and watch over our dance...
[As soon as the last words leave Diarmuid's mouth, he dashes into action. Once he is within a few feet of Gilgamesh, he drops into a roll and breaks toward the the side of the golden king not protected by the sword. Gae Dearg strikes out at that unprotected side as Diarmuid attempt to use the spear's greater length to his advantage.]
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[The Grail never let them fight this way. Gilgamesh never wanted to fight this way, fairly and hand-to-hand on the same level as everyone else, but Diarmuid's thirst for it has proven infectious. He remembers the hero he once was; he remembers the great adventurer he's always been. And he knows, because of Diarmuid, that his star shines brightest in the whole sky.
There's a quiet thank you on his lips, just barely heard over Ea's howling and Diarmuid's earnest prayer, and then Gilgamesh lunges. He's indeed faster than when they last met, and as Diarmuid rolls to strike, he contorts himself quickly and simply passes Ea to the opposite hand. So they clash, one weapon against the other, metal on metal.
And so Gilgamesh honors his vow and speaks words to end him—or else force him back with one beautiful shot.]
ENUMA...
[They are the words of invocation for the surging Noble Phantasm, Enuma Elish. Archers fought from a distance, and punished anyone foolish enough to get close. Ea will devour him if he doesn't move. That is the will of the weapon that exists beyond its master.]
no subject
For as long as he dares, Diarmuid pushes back against the blade that howls its song so loudly. He wishes to come to know it as much as he can. To experience as much of it as he can. However, once he hears Gilgamesh begin to speak and feels the upswing in the gathering of the swords power, he knows he must pull back.
To the front and to the side do not guarantee safety because Diarmuid has no idea the exact range of the sword's coming attack, so instead of cutting in front of Gilgamesh, he falls back and dashes behind the golden king knowing that area will likely be the safest unless Gilgamesh wants to risk hitting himself with the attack...]
no subject
With a boisterous finish of ELISH, Ea fires off a wave of wickedly powerful energy. It now becomes clear why Gilgamesh led them so far out: this would've decimated his poor training ground and taken down half of Caer Glaem along with it. The waves whirls on and on and on for miles, until it crashes clean into a mountain peak and cleaves off a good chunk of its face.
That would've been Diarmuid. So too does his promise to keep him alive become clearer.
Diarmuid has danced to his back. There's no time to hesitate. He activates the shard.]
I want it more than anything.
[The resulting pivot on his heel is sharp, and his expression fierce when he leaps to go on the attack. Whatever he's reached for, it's powerful. It will guide him to victory. He raises Ea and readies a flurry of strikes, guided by what he wants above everything else—the purified hand of Saber in his.]
no subject
It is Gilgamesh activating his shard and boosting his power even higher that shakes Diarmuid out of his awed stillness. Immediately, Diarmuid activates his shard in return, power flowing out into his arms, legs, and his spear. He will not back away form this fight, Not even after seeing what he as seen. He needs to prove how well he has learned his lessons. He needs to protect. He needs to be free.
The strikes that follow Gilgamesh's turn to face him are quick, but Diarmuid is quicker. Gae Dearg spins faster than the eye can see. Sometimes Diarmuid blocks with the front end of the spear, sometimes it is the back end of the spear that meets the blade. Graceful and sure, there is no fear in Diarmuid's face. He is not worried about missing even one blow, not even when he breaks the pattern to drive Gae Dearg's point in passed the sword that he has so easily blocked so far....]
no subject
As Diarmuid needs to protect, Gilgamesh needs to pierce. As Diarmuid needs to be free, Gilgamesh needs to hold him down. One, two, three, like their first dance back at Caer Glaem, and Gilgamesh can sense the flow to each and every strike that meets his. Diarmuid has mastered himself. He is elegance and grace and all things quick. Ea can outlast him, but it cannot truly outpace him. That was the absolute territory of a Lancer.
But where the Lancer falters before superior strength, the Archer endures. He's built for this sort of beating and it's that strength which defends him, catches Gae Dearg at the tip just shy of scraping his neck. The power struggle begins. A crater forms beneath their feet. The weapons quiver and shake together.]
You won't win this way, Lancer. [He's teasing him, provoking him; taking them back to their War.] You know well who I am. You understand why I can't lose.
[The shard shines brighter. Ea screams in Gilgamesh's grip. He'll yield. He'll make him.]
You understand why I alone must triumph, above all others.
no subject
His eyes narrow as he pushes back with all that he is and all the power he can pull from his shard. The ground groans around them, buckling even more and kicking rocks up into the air. One cuts Diarmuid's cheek and another his arm, but he ignores it. His focus is on the weapon and king he is fighting so hard against.]
Just because I can't win doesn't mean I won't try. I won't give up. Not so long as I draw breath! You taught me better than that!
[In another time or at another place, Diarmuid would be gritting his teeth in pain. His bones feel like they will shatter at any moment. His breath just won't stay in his lungs, but instead of gritting his teeth, he smiles and winks at the golden king. Then, suddenly, all the resistance he has been putting against Gilgamesh and his weapon is gone as Diarmuid unsummons his spear and drops straight down attempting to knock the golden king's legs out from under him while he is off balance from the sudden disappearance of the force that had been pushing back against him so hard.]
no subject
Diarmuid's buckling. He's breaking. He won't hold up for much longer. Gilgamesh has no need to act, grits his teeth in Diarmuid's stead until they're nearly like fangs. He revels in the pain Diarmuid must be feeling, finds joy in the promise of pending victory. He can have this much, at least, he can do this, he can win...!]
...tch.
[He's been thrown off balance.
He can still do this. He can win. Run him through the shoulder, logic hisses in his ear. Clip him in the chest, reason snarls in the other. Ea yearns for blood, to cut through flesh and snap bone. It was not meant for acts of mercy. It was meant to undo and recreate. He's thrown off balance, only a little, and he can win so long as he's willing to spear Diarmuid fast in retribution. He can win so long as he's willing to really and truly hurt him.
Will you suffer again? Like on that day.
Ea could destroy you. I could destroy you.
But there's still more you have to do, right? In that case...
I think it would be a shame if you were to fall here, Diarmuid.
But he hesitates. It leaves Diarmuid only a brief window, only with seconds to spare, but it's there. Gilgamesh has failed to act. All that remains is to exploit it.]
no subject
But winning is not as important to Diarmuid as it is to Gilgamesh. Diarmuid knows not every battle can be won. Not every battle has to be won. Sometimes, losing can do more than winning can. Sometimes, losing soothes emotions and raw edges that the winner needs to be soothed. As long as the battle is fair and fought with all of one's heart, a loss does not mean failure.
However, in this moment, Diarmuid is not thinking of this in the frame of win or lose. At the moment, he thinks only of survival. For whatever reason, Gilgamesh has hesitated. For whatever reason--his promise or something else--he has not slipped completely into killing intent. There are seconds that Diarmuid can work with here. Seconds in which the balance between life and death must be found.
Fortunately, for a Lancer, seconds are all he needs.
Instead of moving from his lowered position, Diarmuid remains on the ground. His arm come up and in a blink Gae Dearg appears in it again. It is a testament to how tightly focused on fighting Diarmuid is that Gae Dearg's bindings release without him even thinking about it. The spear just knows and acts.
There is no striking, though, for the strike has already been completed. Diarmuid's spear appears, not in mid-flight, but at rest, already at its destination--pointed directly into the gap between Gilgamesh's shoulder armor and his neck. If the golden king does not react instantaneously, then this battle is over. The touch will be found and it will be found at spear point, not sword point.]
no subject
But perhaps what makes this man so special is that his presence steadies rather than destabilizes. That he can endure the peak of the storm and see it all the way through to its calm. In this moment, Gilgamesh is not thinking at all. It feels more like floating, where he's going, and in this moment, he recognizes yet another loss. That's fine. He's used to that bitter taste, anyway. He lets go of the rage, just lets go outright.
Gae Dearg manifests itself anew. The arm holding Ea drops and its opposite flares out to catch the spear, against fate, against its own abilities. Gilgamesh makes his own rules. He may break them as he pleases. He succeeds in the catch, but fails in the follow-through, in the destined blow that's diverted only slightly from its path. Only slightly, yet enough to prove the true depths of Gilgamesh's strength.
The armor shatters where he's struck and Gilgamesh bleeds. He bleeds at his palm and at his neck, both wounds superficial... except there's a third, the hideous mark of a blackened bite that's aggravated again by contact and exposure. This was no injury caused by Diarmuid. It reeks of foulness, of otherworldly power beyond them both.
Gilgamesh staggers back, but it's too late. This is the true loss, the far greater humiliation. Diarmuid has seen what he was trying to hide from everyone. This is the debilitating bite of the Black Shuck, and it marks him for death.]
no subject
Step back. Come back to me. Come away from the edge...
[He whispers the words even as Gae Dearg appears back in his hand. That is why there is no real chance for him to react to the sudden drop in Gilgamesh's energy. Instead, all he can do is stare in shock when the hideous black bite mark is revealed. What could cause such a thing? It is so out of place on the golden king. Ugly. Disturbing. Diarmuid wants it gone...
Immediately, Gae Dearg vanishes and Diarmuid reaches out with his hand toward Gilgamesh.]
Who...who did this to you?
[And then a memory flashes through is mind. Dark. Deadly. Creeping. Death...]
The Black Shuck...
no subject
[It's a lie. But they're the first words out of Gilgamesh's mouth anyway, it's fine, to convince himself of another truth—that he hadn't committed a grave error and sinned against this world's version of God and so sealed his fate as a result. The wound on his hand has already healed and the wound from Gae Dearg has started to; no such luck with the Shuck's bite, which oozes blood so dark it's turned nearly black.
But it's fine. He's alright. He's backing away and on his knees but there's nothing to worry over, because...]
I won't die. No matter what, I won't die. I don't care what he said. I can't. There's no way it will happen.
[His eyes are wide with hysteria. Diarmuid arrived too late to pull him back from the edge and shield him from the madness, which struck him down to the bone and destroyed him long before Gae Dearg ever could. It is already here. It has gripped him by the spine and oozes from his neck.
But there's nothing to worry over, it's fine, he's alright.]
...I don't want to die again.
[Gilgamesh has rejected the reality in which he suffers such a fate, and therefore, he won't.]
no subject
[It is not often Diarmuid raises his voice in anger. It is even less often that it is raised and also carries the sharpness of an order, but both things are being done now. It is hard for him because he knows he should not be giving orders to this man, but it has to be done now. He has to snap him out of this madness. Out of this hysteria. It is not the appropriate end to this battle. It is not the appropriate end to anything.
Diarmuid is also on his knees and he moves forward until he is kneeling right in front of Gilgamesh. He reaches out with his hand to cup the side of the golden king's head, not caring if any of that dark blood gets on him. Calm golden eyes lock on wild red ones.]
What did he say to you? Tell me. I need to know. I need to know what has to be done so I can protect you. You won't die. I won't allow it. Nothing--not even Death--has the right to tarnish your glow.
[He can understand why Gilgamesh is so tempted to just deny what has happened, but after meeting the Black Shuck, Diarmuid knows denial won't get anything done. It won't get anything fixed. It is what the Black Shuck wants for when Gilgamesh's denial and strength of will fail, it will break the golden king even more than he already is.
No, it can't be allowed.]
Let me help you. Let me be here for you like you have been for me. You don't have to always be so strong in front of me. This is what I am here for. Please...
no subject
At the very least, he won't lash out at Diarmuid. At another time he would've blamed him for everything and stabbed him on the spot, but now he recognizes he's only trying to help. He won't refuse him. He'll refuse Shuck's warning, but not Diarmuid. That is what has changed since then: faith in a fellow Servant and affection for a dear comrade.
He reaches out and takes Diarmuid's hand, as it was offered moments before. Breathes deep, and answers that concern from before, which hadn't been lost after all.]
I've returned.
[Reassurances first and foremost that the true danger of a world ripping apart from Gilgamesh's fury has passed. Deep breath in, deep breath out.]
You must keep it to yourself. You must swear it.
no subject
[Diarmuid's voice is soft, almost less than a whisper. Not because he doesn't mean what he has said, but because he is fighting with himself as to how he should reply to Gilgamesh's request. Some people would have no problem swearing like this because to them oaths and vows mean little. Words don't hold any magic. This is not so for Diarmuid. Every oath and vow he has made is binding. Every word is part of a spell cast that will backfire on him should he not be true to what he says. This is why he cannot just agree without thought to swearing not to tell anyone about this. What if they need help to remove this curse? What if Gilgamesh swears him to silence and then refuses to act himself to fix this? Diarmuid still has vowed to protect him and staying silence would break that vow...
...but speaking would break another.
He sighs, hand tightening around Gilgamesh's. The path Diarmuid walks is not an easy one. It never has been and he isn't about to back away now.]
I swear. This will stay between us. Tell me what needs to be done to help you. To remove this blemish. I wish to see it gone more than anything. It does not belong upon you.
no subject
Gilgamesh must answer with care. He cannot divulge too much, but Diarmuid will sniff out a lie if he offers too little. And didn't he deserve the truth, or something like it, for daring to come this far? For shattering the King's armor and making him hesitate, as few ever could or would.
He must answer with care for the both of them. He knows well this knight, so bound by his word. He won't curse him to act against himself. Not again.]
The Shuck took my life on Samhain. He's sworn to take it a second time, when next his moon fills the sky.
[And a third. And a fourth. And so on, forever. That stubbornness returns, sharp-edged and fierce.]
I would fight him myself before it happens. There's no need for you to intervene.
no subject
[Diarmuid is both confused and terrified. Still, deep down, he already knows the answer to his questions. There is no need for there to be a 'how' when one is dealing with Death itself. That still leaves a 'why,' but at this point in time, Diarmuid doesn't care so much about that.]
There must be another way besides fighting him. He will come. Death always does and he will break whatever rules he must to take you. It is in his nature. You faced him once and...
[No, he's not going to say 'failed' because he is sure Gilgamesh already knows far too well what he means.]
I can see you are scared. Why won't you let me help? You don't have to face this alone. We travel together now, remember?
[He knows there is much he is not being told, but that is the nature of kings with those below them. They do not always share all of what they know. Still, promises have been made and Diarmuid is not going to let them be forgotten just because it is convenient or because things have gotten difficult and dangerous.]
no subject
[Said with an awfully childish edge as he curls up on the snowy bank and complains. This is the truest side to Gilgamesh, the millennia old ancient who whines and grouses whenever things don't go his way. He lost to the Shuck, he lost to Diarmuid, and now he's recovered enough from the initial shock to outright pout about it.
He says he's not scared, and he isn't, but feeling the life drain from him, feeling his blood turn cold... it came pretty damn close. Scared, no. He really would fight that accusation to his grave. But shaken? Definitely.]
Honestly, you're too much sometimes. If Ea hadn't disobeyed me, you'd be bleeding out all over the place.
[This is very much a lie and it's very much apparent. Ea may have possessed its own will, but that will had been to kill. It was Gilgamesh who refused Ea, who fought himself and won. Damned fool of a Servant. How was he going to deny it now?]
If that hadn't happened... if some stupid god hadn't gotten in my way... maybe it would've been different.
no subject
[Diarmuid reaches out and gently strokes back Gilgamesh's hair. He can tell very clearly that most of what the golden king is saying is a lie, but he will not call him on it. Instead, Diarmuid will just do his best to care for the golden king's busied ego, to polish his scuffed pride, and to help him back up to the throne that is so rightfully his.]
Come. My lap is both more comfortable and warmer than the ground.
[What Diarmuid doesn't say is that he really just wants to hold Gilgamesh and convince himself that everything will be okay. Somehow. Somehow this curse the Black Shuck has placed on him will be lifted and Death will not come for either of them. Not this way, anyway.]
You know that I do not fear dying in battle. If that was the conclusion that Fate had chosen, then I would have gladly, and with honor, bled out in your arms. It would be a better end than the last time I bled out you know...
[When Fionn had betrayed him, taunted him, and finally let him die...]
no subject
And for what? To offer his own arm had been a serious show of respect, to speak of kinship in their mutual existence as agents of order and chaos. Damn this Servant and damn that Shuck. He'd skin that wolf and wear his hide before his time here's through, he's sworn to that much.
He reddens a little, though not out of any sense of embarrassment. It's because he's having to lie again, this time by omission, about that better end than the last time.]
...it's cold.
[It isn't—not for Servants, at least—and it's not exactly an answer to anything Diarmuid has said, but it is an open invitation that he's amenable to contact, to being drawn closer. It's a start towards fixing whatever mess this was.]
no subject
He reaches out and draws Gilgamesh to him, cuddling the golden king against his chest as much as he can with one arm.]
Let me warm you. Let me be your heat when everything else is frozen around you.
[People may think he is foolish. Deep down, he knows he is, but Diarmuid can't help but be the way he is. Others mean more than he does, not because he values himself so little, but because he values others so much. They all have so much potential, so much they can do. This is especially true for those who have fallen from their high points. It just means there is a great amount they can do on the way back...]
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But it had been a good fight, hadn't it? It had been fun. Somehow time spent with Diarmuid always is. And that softens him a little.]
When we get back, I'm going to punish you. You'll regret embarrassing me. I won't allow it.
[Once it's again all bluster, all faux frustration. He sags onto Diarmuid's shoulder—so strong, so muscular, he's too handsome to bear at times—draws both arms around him and makes it all too apparent just how much he enjoys being held.]
And don't talk about dying again. I won't allow that, either. There's too much left for us to do.
[For us. It is the highest form of acceptance and the highest honor for a lowly knight. Gilgamesh embraces their fates together.]
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I am in no hurry to see our journey end either. I want to travel with you as long as possible. I feel...at home with you.
[Much like with Alyosha, he has purpose when he is with Gilgamesh. He has goals. Yes, there are other things Diarmuid needs to do and work for, but somehow this is more personal. This is closer to his heart. This he has chosen and he will not regret the choice no matter how much difficulty it leads him to.]
Tell me now. How will you punish me? I wish to know...
[Mischief twinkles in Diarmuid's eyes. This 'warning' doesn't worry Diarmuid too much. He knows that if he had not given his all and lost in a way that Gilgamesh didn't approve of, he would be punished as well.]
Or would you rather it be a surprise?
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Yes, there's purpose in their companionship. It won't replace what he's lost but it fills some other void, just a little. The pain from the bite fades. His heart calms. Diarmuid succeeds, as always, in providing that stability he so relies upon to stay functional.]
Idiot.
[No answer for now, so a surprise it shall be. Gilgamesh reaches up to a few dangling strands of hair, running fingers through and skirting his cheek with his thumb.]
It's getting longer... you should braid it, like mine. As a symbol of your devotion to me.
[Despite his grousing, Gilgamesh doesn't much care who sees, either. He's nudging their faces together like a pet eager for attention.]
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I guess we just can't help ourselves huh... cw: blood
LOL! What can I say? It's the first thing that crossed Diarmuid's mind...
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