sarumi | Call Me Out!

These kinds of puzzles rarely are...

[Diarmuid frowns as he reads over his own copy of the letter. He is a warrior and used to battles, but rarely do his battles have so many unknowns. In fact, they have no idea if they can trust what the letters say as the truth.

He turns to Yata, his expression serious.]

Since we are to be partners, before we begin it would probably be wise to learn a little about each other. How well do you fight if you don't mind me asking.

[At this Yata brims with pride and seems to perk up at the idea of combat.]

I'm smaller than I look but I'm a vanguard of a large group of men who do nothing but fight!

[Yata looks around, as though looking for something.]

I usually have a skateboard and a baseball bat. Unless there's one around here, it might really affect how well I can handle whatever these idiots throw at us. What about you?

[Diarmuid bows his head to the boy as a mark of respect. Yata might not seem like a fighter as he says, but Diarmuid knows well just how deceiving body size can be.]

I was once called The First Warrior of the Fianna. The Fianna were the best warriors--heroes really--that Ancient Ireland had to offer. You will not find me lacking in battle skill or strategy.

[He looks around the room quickly and then shakes his head.]

Unfortunately, I do not see anything like a skateboard or bat. Maybe one of the floors might hold something like that?

[Yata suppresses the urge to giggle. A real knight? That was cool! The only think Yata knew of knights, kings, and clans was his beloved Homra. Homra was far less glamourous that Yata made it out to be in his head, so meeting this guy was like a dream come true.]

What kinds of weapons do you use? I bet you use knight-y stuff like swords and a suit of armor! Maybe we will be armed later. Oh I hope we don't have to "find" our weapons. That would be a fucking pain.

Fortunately for us, this is my armor. It is stronger than it looks made for protection, but also so that it would not hinder my mobility since speed and agility are my strongest skills. As for my weapon, unless they can sever it from my soul, they cannot take it from me.

[Diarmuid holds out his hand and a moment later a long red spear appears in it. He seems pleased to see the weapon, but his expression saddens a moment later.]

It is a shame. It seems her sister is not to be returned to me here. I suppose it was too much to hope for.

[Yata thinks making his weapon appear out of thin air is just about the coolest thing he's seen since Mikoto-san caught a glass bottle he'd thrown and melted it with his kingly aura. His face is flushed with excitement.]

Ooooh that's awesome, nii-san!

[Maybe it's too soon to call this guy his older brother but he already feels a kinship and didn't this guy day he was ancient Irish? Maybe he didn't know what that meant.]

You had another one?

[Diarmuid smiles when Yata calls him brother. It is a nostalgic feeling. Everyone in the Fianna had considered themselves family and it has been too long since he has been called brother--even if it is in a different language now.]

Yes, I generally duel-wield spears, though I can duel-wield swords as well. Unfortunately, I was called here from a war and during that war i was forced to sacrifice my other spear so that a great monster could be defeated. I do not regret doing it, but that weapon had been a part of me for a very long time. I miss her.

[Yata had never referred to a weapon as a person before, but he could imagine doing just a thing should he ever come across a splendid enough weapon. He'd heard the shitty Blues named their swords. Yata didn't like knives or swords...they reminded him too much of the damn traitor. But he could see himself using a spear like this guy's. It was even red, just like Homra!]

Is there any way to get it back at all?

I expect not.

[Diarmuid sadly looks at the spear resting in his hand.]

The gods and magics that first made both of my spears sleep far away now from what I understand of how the world has changed since I first walked it. It would likely take a miracle of some kind especially since they are now different from what they once were. However, if the Throne of Heroes can record the souls of the world's heroes perhaps it can return my spear to me once I return to it. I would say recording souls is magic on the level of a miracle, wouldn't you?

Gods? Aren't they always around even if they are sleeping and will do things for you if you ask and promise to serve them?

[A confused expression crosses Yata's face.]

Maybe I'm thinking of the wrong god but maybe they will help you if you ask and give them praise or whatever?

[Diarmuid chuckles lightly.]

Gods and Goddesses vary just as much as the worlds they come from do, but I think those things you mention are generally true for most of them. However, I think the rules change a little when your father is a god.

[His eyes grow distant for a moment.]

There was only one day of my life during which my father did not watch over me. I...would certainly not mind having his guidance and protection now as it has saved me more than once in the past.

...So you're half god? I'm guessing that's why you can come from the past? Do you have any special powers other than that thing with your weapons?

[Yata's genuinely curious. He doesn't think about the other man not wanting to talk about it.]

Also, what would you like me to call you? I can just stick with nii-san if you'd like...

No, no, I am as mortal as you are. Or I was before becoming a servant.

[Diarmuid runs his free hand through his hair and then gives Yata a sheepish smile. It's obvious from how he speaks that he has had to explain this more than once.]

The father I speak of is actually my foster father, but since he is the only father I ever knew, father is what I call him. For being born in such a magical land and a magical time, I am actually rather mundane. Aside from this...

[He brushes the mole under his right eye lightly with his finger.]

...curse I have no magical abilities. My weapons are magical and my physical skills extraordinary, but before I became a servant I relied fully on my skill with my weapons and my mind to survive.

As for names, you may call me what you wish. Brother is fine, but so is my first name or even Lancer which was the class I was summoned into for the war.

...A spot?

[Yata takes a closer look.]

Does that spot mark you as beloved by the gods? What would happen if it were removed?

[The boy seems to have temporarily forgotten Lancer wouldn't have had access to the painless, relatively easy surgeries to remove blemishes, and that this guy was something like a ghost...Yata wasn't sure how that part worked, but again, there seemed that there would time.]

Oh, I'm sorry...I'm asking you a bunch of dumb questions...

[Not that asking dumb questions wasn't a skill that Yata possessed.]

[Diarmuid shakes his head.]

There are no stupid questions. That is something my father always said and I fully believe. Unfortunately, removing it isn't that easy. The mark is only an outward sign of the inner workings of the curse. Even if it was gone, the curse would still be there. I don't expect the spirit who gave it to me ever expected me to be free of it. I often wonder if it was some sort of test of my character.

So it's some kind of curse? What kind of curse?

[Yata's as curious as ever. It wold be nice to be able to chat with Lancer all day but...]

Even if they aren't dumb questions as your father said, sitting around here chatting isn't going to do us much good. Not that I don't want to talk...but shouldn't we be coming up with a plan?

A love curse...

[Diarmuid's gaze drops to the side as if he is embarrassed, before he forces himself to look at Yata again.]

Any woman who sees my face falls in love with me. As you can imagine, it's quite troublesome since I cannot control it and it is always active.

[And as if he wants to change the subject quickly--which he does--he moves right onto Yata's next questions.]

Sitting around will not do us any good, but rushing into such an unknown situation will not help either. We have no idea what is waiting beyond those doors. It doesn't hurt to find out as much about each other as we can. Is there anything else you think it would be good for me as a fellow fighter to know about you?

[Yata feels a little awkward about the idea of a love curse. Then again, he blushes and stutters around girls, so he couldn't imagine what it'd be like to have them falling for him because of a curse. He feels sorry for Lancer- of course he probably distanced himself from girls because of this. Maybe even certain types of guys, too- insecurity and jealousy tended to be labeled a chick thing, but Yata knew that was bullshit. Damnit, he wasn't supposed to be thinking of Fushimi now...]

I guess you got lonely. That sucks. To tie that thought into your question, I'd have to say I rely on my loyalty to Homra. But I guess that's nothing new to you, eh? Lucky Homra is good, but that doesn't mean we always go the good way of doing things. We aren't knights or cops. But if we catch you being a shithead on our turf or getting in our way clearing out the shitheads, there'll be hell to pay.

[Yata pauses a moment, as if something he said made him have a sudden thought.]

Hmm...I wonder...

[Yata appears to be concentrating for a moment. Suddenly he is surrounded by a deep red glow. It looks hot to the touch. In fact, if Lancer gets closer, he will feel heat radiating from it.]

Well, my powers are still in tact.

I was lucky enough have a few friends and family who never left my side even though perhaps they should have...

[Diarmuid pauses a moment, eyes downcast wondering not for the first time since he had been called back to life what had happened to Oscar, Oisin, and Fionn that day on the hill after he had died. Had Oscar carried through with his threat to kill his grandfather and Lord? Had Oisin with his wise words been able to stop that confrontation? Diarmuid has no way of knowing.]

Loyalty is important. It is something to anchor yourself and your values. I am glad you have that within you. Keep it close. I expect you will be needing the strength it provides you.

[The servant watches as Yata tries his powers, eyes widening in surprise.]

That is your power? I feel heat. Is it some kind of aura or shield?

Think of it as fire. And it can be shield if I use it properly! I'm pretty strong, but not as strong as Mikoto-san. He is the King after all!

[Yata gives Diarmuid a smile.]

I'm still a good bit tougher than I look, even if Mikoto-san's a lot bigger and stronger. I don't know what kind of puzzles they are, but if it's a fight they won't, they'll regret fucking with Homra!

[Tough talk for a such a little guy, but he's serious. He knows Mikoto and the others aren't going to come strolling in to help, but honestly- Yata was one of the first ones Homra sent in when Mikoto couldn't be bothered.]

[As a fighter often underestimated because he relies on speed, agility, and tactics instead of brute strength, Diarmuid is the last person who will underestimate Yata because of his size. In fact, he is quite impressed by the boy's display.

Quite impressed and quite curious.]

How much energy does it take to keep that up? Do you tire easily or can you use it for quite a long time? Do you have any limits to how often it can be used?

[Diarmuid stops suddenly in his questioning, realizing he is being not only rude, but invasive.]

My apologies. I am just trying to make sure I understand how it works.

No, no, no, you're fine. To be honest, I don't know much much about how these powers work. I wasn't curious one. That would have been Saruhiko.

[The boy says the name with venom, but it's obvious there's some unresolved issues there.]

I can't answer your questions in detail but all I can say is I've never really had an energy problem with it and it does burn...

[Diarmuid raises an eyebrow at the venom attached to that name, but doesn't ask about it for the moment. He expects there will be plenty of time for that later.]

It is good that it seems to have so few limits. I have a feeling this place is probably going to try and find a way to push us to our limits and then past them over and over again. However forgive me for being confused but you say it does burn. Do you mean it burns you when you use it or just that it burns things in general like a fire would?

[The boy hadn't seemed to be in pain when he used the power just moments ago, but if he was used to it injuring him he might just have been hiding the pain.]

It's never burned me when I use it like I showed you! But I guess it would burn me if I started a fire and stuck my hand in it.

[Yata's not the sharpest tool in the drawer but he's not that dumb.]

[Diarmuid nods knowing how important it is to know the limits of one's powers and glad that it seems that Yata knows the limits of his.]

It is good that the flames don't hurt you. Even if it might hold us back some, if the power hurt you, I would have to request you not use it. I would not want to see you hurt just to make things go a little more quickly.

[He falls quiet for a moment and then motions toward the door.]

What do you think? Shall we finally get started?

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