oathshackledbird | Animus Mailbox #0091

[Diarmuid gives Reno a confused look for a moment and then shakes his head, motioning for the man to come and sit with him on the bed instead of walking away. He is still recovering from the exhaustion caused by helping to recharge the Tower, and while he is stronger than he was, he still grows tired frustratingly easy sometimes.]

If I really knew what you were thinking, I would know how to fix the problem that so worries you aside from what we have already talked about. I don't, though. I...just try not to think about it, I guess. There is so much else to worry about. Especially now.

[He has to go back with Waver...otherwise, well all those other concerns are a moot point. He won't remember any of it even if he is ever called back into the world, which might not happen if the Waver of his world is as successful at his goals as the one he knows wants to be.

There is little doubt in his mind that he will be.]

[Reluctant, Reno leans against the wall by the door and folds his arms. He isn't comfortable enough to go farther in.]

It isn't really a problem. I'll say my goodbyes when the time comes, like I always do. If I'm lucky, Xion will be with me. I have an idea where Rufus is so I might be able to change things.

[Well, at least he didn't walk out. That is a plus.]

But knowing what you have to doing and knowing what you want to do are two different things, right? Is that what the problem is? Or is it more, you have more than one thing you want to do? You want to stay with your friends and family here, yet you have things that need to be done and should be done at home...

[Diarmuid smiles softly.]

It's good to know Xion will be going with you.

What I want doesn't really matter if Gaia gets restored. I know where I'm supposed to be. I have my oaths.

[Diarmuid's eyes narrow at the other man. Far be it for him to hold keeping a promise against anyone, he has learned since he arrived here that sometimes...sometimes things change.]

Reno, you realize you aren't the same man who made those oaths, right? It's okay if your needs and wishes have changed since you got here and you have made new promises. Will you so easily break those for the oaths made by another man?

[Of course, Diarmuid didn't understand... arguing the other point, pointing out things he did not want to think about.]

I arrived here in March. It's almost March again. It wasn't long before that when I made them.

[He spoke sharply, making a point, but sighs and softens slightly for the next part.]

I... spoke with Rufus before the wedding, but he advised me to go through with it. And Elena knew things might not last. She accepted and knew the risks. Eventually, the kids will have to go home and live their own lives.

[And he rubs the back of his neck, lowering his gaze.]

I haven't made any promises other than we'll fight for our choices.

Besides... promises and oaths are different. You told me to be the person I wanted to be, someone that he could be proud of. If I went back on those now, I should just stop trying.

[Ah...is that it? Diarmuid has to admit he is happy to know that Reno is taking his words to heart and trying to be more himself, but he's not sure if this is exactly the direction the red head needs to go.]

Yes, but I don't want you to give up on the things you really want to be that person. That...isn't any better than what you were before.

[He runs a hand through his hair, a small frustrated sound slipping from his mouth. Things make a little more sense now, but he still feels like he's missing something.]

Still, I also don't know that person you want to be as well as the person who stands before me now. Can...you tell me more about him?

No.

[That's a secret. It's not something even he has thought much about, and maybe it's even too early to tell. He's still feeling out a lot of things.]

I just know if I don't go back, Rufus will die and the people I knew all of my life might too.

Now can we stop talking about it?

Edited 2014-02-14 04:16 (UTC)

[At first, Diarmuid is a little upset by Reno's 'no,' but after a moment he realizes that the other man might not be exactly sure what he should say to answer that question. As long as he is thinking about it, that is all that matters.

Though, Diarmuid would really like to know.]

We can, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to stop worrying about you. You're my family and it's troubling you.

[Reno's mouth falls open slightly at Diarmuid's declaration.]

I appreciate the thought, but... I don't really belong.

[And there it is. The core of what had been troubling him since he had started waiting, thinking on the note and the things he always had to find out, instead of that common background most people of Earth seems to share.]

What do you mean, you don't belong?

[This confuses Diarmuid. Has he done something to make the red head feel left out? Said something that inadvertently upset him in a way he didn't realize?]

I don't understand. You are like family to me. The last thing I want if for you to feel that way...

[Sigh. How did he know this is going to be Diarmuid's response?
Irritation surges, creeping into his expression.]

Exactly what I meant, and take it from experience, Diarmuid, it's easier saying goodbye to friends than it is family. And I'm tired of saying goodbye to family and never seeing them again. So just stay friends, huh? There's already a lot of bonds that'll get broken here when we go back.

[He rubs his forehead briefly, pushing hair out of his face.]

Sometimes I think that's the worst part about bein' here. And don't worry, it's not like it's some big personality changing thing we need to discuss down on the ballroom. Just is.

I am afraid that isn't a decision you get to make.

[Something hard enters Diarmuid's expression.]

I already consider you a member of my family. That happened long ago and nothing can change it now. Even if we must go our separate ways once we leave here, I will remember my red-headed brother fondly. That bond will never be broken. Not by time, distance, or death.

[Reno matches his look, arms folding.]

Then fight me for it.

[Diarmuid blinks at Reno in confusion.]

Fight you for it?

I don't feel like arguing with you. Come at me and settle it the old fashioned way.

[He gives Diarmuid a long, searching gaze.]

I should be a match for you.

[Diarmuid stands, raising an eyebrow at Reno as he does.]

You realize, whether I win or lose doesn't matter. My feelings on this will not change. As I said, this is not something you get to decide.

Sadly, I am not in the best shape for a spar, but I will not back away from this if it is truly what you wish.

[Reno nods once, and exits to stand in the hall. It doesn't offer much room to maneuver, but a fighter that couldn't turn the environment to his advantage isn't much of a fighter.

If Diarmuid still doesn't think he's serious, pulling his EMR out of his makeshift harness should reaffirm Reno is perfectly so. Insane. Crazy, maybe. But definitely serious.

It's a good thing Dorm Four is practically empty.]

I'll go easy on you.

Go easy on me and I will break another rib.

[Diarmuid picks up his swords and meets Reno in the hallway. Gae Buidhe he leaves in the room, since, while shorter than Gae Dearg, its length still will prove problematic in confines of the hallway. He falls into a relaxed fighting stance, swords at the ready.]

Since this is your fight, I will allow you to begin.

[Taking a moment to examine everything he could about Diarmuid's style and stance, Reno narrows his eyes, trying not to let his comments irritate. His own posture is relaxed, and it looks like he isn't even in a battle ready mode- but appearances can be deceiving.]

Tch.

[Dual wielders were rare back on Gaia. TG is the only one he could remember on the team actually going dual, and those were guns. This is going to be tricky, but that's good. Reno needs to step up his game, anyway.]

Don't discount me, Diarmuid. I might surprise ya.

[He lifts his head high, raising his EMR to tap against his left shoulder. For a split second, he seems to see something, and he grins ever so slightly.

The next instant, he's dashing down the hallway towards the other man silently, trying to use his speed against him. It seems as if he isn't going to use the EMR until at the last second he brings it to bear, aiming at Diarmuid's legs.]

[Looks can be deceiving, but Diarmuid has faced enough fighters in his day that Reno's relaxed stance doesn't fool him at all. He hasn't fought the red head before in an actual spar, so the last thing he is going to do is underestimate him even if the first attack Reno launches is clear as day in its intentions.

Normally, Diarmuid would flip over the head of his opponent to avoid a strike to his legs, but the hallway's height prevents him from doing that. Instead, he leaps back and to the side, dashing forward again and striking out at Reno's side with one blade while the other comes in at the red head's back.]

[Reno is fast enough to change his tactics when he sees those swords coming at him. Instead of stopping or changing momentum, Reno uses it and drops down into a slide that wouldn't have looked out of place in a baseball game. The swords touch him for a moment before he disappears, popping up several feet away and turning around.

That hadn't been the brightest move, but now he's getting a better feel for Diarmuid's style. This time, he watches and waits from his position for the other man's moves.]

[There is a reason Diarmuid tends to let others go first in spars, and that is because he knows how important it is to get a feel for how an unknown combatant fights. The first few exchanges of any spar usually are just the two feeling each other out--at least they are if the other person knows what they are doing. Reno obviously does, since he pauses and waits for Diarmuid to make the next move.

Not that Diarmuid is all that surprised. It is just good to get confirmation that his assumptions about Reno's skill level are right. He pivots back around to face the red head, this time taking the initiative and attacking. His movements are slow, though, at least to him, and he is doing it on purpose. He might not have his full speed back, but as long as he can keep Reno off balance as to just how much speed he has, it will work to his favor. He dodges first to the left, then right, then drops down very near to the red head, swinging at his legs with one blade while swinging upward toward the man's chest with the other.]

[What is he- oh. Reno knows Diarmuid could move faster than that if he wants, but he's playing it 'safe.' It does not give him enough of an idea how much he's holding back, however.

Reno examines each move as long as he could before it came time for one of his own, his eyes on the wounded shoulder in particular. Testing to see if there's any weakness there.

When Reno does move, it's to step into the attack instead of dodging or jumping away. His hand lashes out at Diarmuid's upper wrist, grabbing it and pulling him forward. The other sword... it's low and closing in on Reno's leg too quickly and in desperation, he kicks out at the blade trying to stomp it down. This leaves his other hand the only measure left to attack with, and he sends it closefisted at Diarmuid's head. ]

Edited 2014-02-15 21:14 (UTC)

[Diarmuid suspected after that first attack that Reno was one of those high-risk, high-reward type fighters. Still, the man stepping into his attack surprises him, since it seems like suicide. However, after both of his weapons are knocked off course, he quickly realizes, he is the one who took the risky course of action here by assuming that Reno would have to dodge back, unable to deal with both attacks at once. As a result, Diarmuid leaves himself wide open and unable to avoid the incoming punch.

It hurts, but fortunately, his resistances mitigate the worst of the disorientation that would normally follow such a blow allowing Diarmuid to recover very quickly. He pulls his lower sword backward sharply while pushing forward just as sharply with the other arm Reno has a hold of in hopes of throwing the man off balance so that he can free himself either to attack or to put some distance between them.]

Edited 2014-02-15 21:56 (UTC)

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