towerofjamjars | Morning After with bonus awkward roommates!

Morning After with bonus awkward roommates!

Option A: You are sharing a bed with someone else (state of dress or undress is up to you). You may or may not remember last night. Wake up and feel awkward.

Option B: One of your roommates has someone else crashing in their bed. (State of dress still up to you.) Wake them up and feel awkward? Try to slip out quickly and quietly? Dump water on their heads?

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[When Lancelot mentions that he had thought Diarmuid and Cu Chulainn to be lovers, Diarmuid sit bolt upright in the bed and turns bright red. His eyes widen and when he speaks, the shock is obvious in his voice.]

N-no! We aren't! We never!

[He pauses to calm himself a moment, and is only marginally successful.]

I-I mean. He is a wonderful man. I...I thought if he loved me I could have loved him back, but it wasn't that kind of love for him. It was my curse...

[Diarmuid pauses again, seeming to turn even redder all the sudden.]

Why did I just say that... You must think me such a fool...

[Finally, he falls silent, thoroughly embarrassed. He wants to get up and hide, but he just can't bring himself to move.]

[Lancelot seems surprised by the reaction, but not shaken by it. He merely places a gentle hand on Diarmuid's shoulder.]

I do not think you a fool, Diarmuid. Nor do I have a wish to shame you. You have my Word.
I beg you, take your ease.
[He lowers his hand, patting the surface of the bed. Betimes the man reminds him of a startled hart-- an apt comparison at the moment, as he seems prepared to bolt. But Lancelot is not ready for his bed to be cold or empty just yet.]

You may speak of these things to me, if you wish-- for I will neither pass judgement upon you nor tell another. But whether you do or no, I will say that I think your Curse must make Love a hardship indeed, but that does not mean that you are not Deserving of it-- as much as anyone may be Deserving.

[The calmness in Lancelot's voice does amazing things to help calm Diarmuid as well. He doesn't lay back down quite yet, but his shoulders relax and the redness drains from his face.]

It was a mistake on my part, but his confession was just so sudden and my curse had never bespelled anyone but a woman before. And when he said what he said the part of me that will always see him as my hero was just so thrilled. I could trust him. He was strong. He understood. Most importantly, he loved me for me. Not because of a spell.

[Diarmuid winces, feeling the same sick pain he had felt when he read his brother's letter confirming what he had already realized flare in his chest again. His hand unconsciously raises and rubs the area over his heart.]

It was then I realized what I wanted. I never had it before and I wanted it. I wanted love free of any kind taint or coercion.

[He finally looks at Lancelot then, his gaze filled with sadness.]

I know I have the right to love, but what right do I have to look for it here in the middle of what is pretty much a war? Not only is it selfish of me, but it is also dangerous. And yet...this might be the only chance I ever get...

Is there a more natural time to look for Love, to seek a Level, than when one feels danger all around, in the midst of a Storm?
We are all of us Selfish in Love, Diarmuid ua Duibhne. Or so I have found. But if you may make another Happy as well, if only for a little while, then I fail to see the Harm.

[Lancelot regards the other Servant steadily from his prone position, propped on one elbow. He raises his free hand and lays it over the spot Diarmuid had himself touched.]

Perhaps I am not fit to give you council in this, for my own History with such things is-- a painful one. But I will say that I would not call your Hope a mistake, though it was not fulfilled in one way, it might well lead you to another. Now that you know what it is you seek.

[Diarmuid shakes his head, but is careful not to pull away from the hand on his face. It is comforting. After all, considering Lancelot's history, he would understand where others cannot.]

Again you underestimate the value of your counsel, Sir Lancelot. I think there is probably none other in this place who could understand as well as you do, though you were luckier than I in that your love for each other was true.

[Diarmuid's eyes drop to stare blankly at a fold of sheet on the bed. it's obvious his attention is elsewhere.]

For her, the love she felt was just the curse. For me, admiration and respect do not always equal love. This I know now that I have had the chance to feel here without my curse muddling the path, and I fear I will not get this chance again. It is why I search so hard now even if it is foolish. Love may bring pain, but it also brings great joy and joy is something that is so badly needed in this place.

"Lucky" is not a Word I would apply to myself-- not to any whom I love.
I am a Cruel Thing, if you would only see it.

[His expression if for a moment soft and sad as he drops his hand to Diarmuid's chest.]

But it seems that for all your regrets and misgivings your mind is made-- and likely for the best. Like any Knight, you must Seek until you Find.
It seems your own counsel suits you well enough, Diarmuid.
I wish you well.

[Diarmuid looks down at the hand against his chest and folds his own hand over it.]

I think you blame yourself far too much for things you have no control over. Much like I have blamed myself for things I have not had control over. We all have monsters and darkness inside of us, Lancelot. It is just unfortunate that you have been forced to face yours more than most and not been allowed to bring the battle to a satisfactory conclusion. These things make us no more or no less the heroes that we are, though. They are merely parts of us we must learn to deal with.

[He smiles gently at the other servant.]

I have been told this more than once by people far wiser than I am.

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Morning After with bonus awkward roommates!

Warning: Overreaction inbound in 3...2...1...

Haha, oh my! ;3

And now I think he needs more to drink. Lancelot didn't happen to bring any back, did he? :-P

No such luck! You're flying SOBER, Diarmuid.

You are a cruel man, Lancelot. Denying an Irishman his alcohol...

Well, at least he isn't English! A point in his favor.

Yes, complaining about denying someone their tea just doesn't work so well...