un: firstspear | voice

[ua_duibhne]

Name: Diarmuid Ua Duibhne
Date: 27/10
Format: voice

Let it be known that Diarmuid Ua Duibhne has sworn off of the cláirseach.

[A pause- and then he sighs. No, that's far too weak willed for his liking; if he were to give up now, he'd never be able to look at another harp again. What started as a faint interest in rekindling his connection to his father has turned into an endless string of headaches and sore fingers but he's nothing if not masochistic stubborn.]

... at least, temporarily. In the meantime, does anyone know how to restring this godsforsaken thing? Harps are so damned- [As if in objection to whatever insult he was about to throw its way, Diarmuid is interrupted by the sharp twang of another string snapping.] I might need a tutor.

Comments

un: ozymandias

[fulgency]

...That seems an unkind thing to do to a tutor.

[ua_duibhne]

But worse still to do it to my unsuspecting companion who works night shifts, no?

[fulgency]

Sometimes, Diarmuid, the will of the gods can be difficult to determine. One must take time and reflect quietly on what it is they wish to lead one.

This is not the case here. Short of one of your gods arriving in this world and providing you with written and verbal instructions, it could not be plainer.

[ua_duibhne]

[that's not very nice oswald]

Be that as it may, my lord, I will not be bested by a piece of wood with string in it.

[Another ping- this time accompanied by a sharp hiss of pain and a curse he only just manages to cut out of his message in time.]

[fulgency]

[He's just keeping it real. Ozymandias does flinch at the ping, though thankfully none are around to witness it. Please stop making terrible sounds...]

Then if you insist on continuing down this path, I recommend that you show your instrument more respect. Save the obvious differences, you would not know the difference between any of the musicians of my court or my soldiers in terms of their discipline and reverence for their respective instruments.

[You wouldn't talk shit about your lances, would you, Deermood???]

You will remain less than a novice if you cannot show it the proper respect it deserves. After all, how else are you to improve if you continue to blame it for your lack of technique?

[ua_duibhne]

Ah...!

[Amazing how much can be expressed in one little sound. Even without seeing him, Ozymandias can probably sense the look of startled self-reproach he's currently wearing. He's right. He's completely right. That advice could have come directly from his father's lips- hell, he'd probably warned him of this exact thing at some point.]

I... I've never thought about it like that. [He shakes his head.] No wonder I've been struggling so. How foolish of me!

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias hums in self-satisfied amusement as Diarmuid reaches what Ozymandias deems to be an appropriate conclusion.]

Then perhaps with this knowledge, you might begin to create...gentler sounds.

[Now he will be a little kinder. And encouraging.]

[ua_duibhne]

You wouldn't be so encouraging if you'd heard me earlier.

[sorry cú]

Do you play anything, my lord? Forgive my assuming but you seem a learned sort.

[fulgency]

[He isn't even going to begin to argue against that. He's only heard a small sampling, but that was enough...]

Your assumption is not incorrect. Music was also an integral part of my education. [How else is one to offer praise to the gods without a bit of song?] But my instrument was my own voice.

[With lungs like his...]

Not from a lack of interest mind you. I have always held a great admiration for those gifted with such talents! But, unfortunately, I lacked the time to train in anything else and even as a child, I was not satisfied to do anything with only half-efforts.

[Minor consequence of being raised to continue bringing an entire empire from the brink of collapse and to greater glory than it's ever known. Musical education gets to be a bit of a backburner.]

[towards_okeanos]

Is it much different from a lyre?

[Surprising talents of one King of Conquerors are surprising. He's no Hesiod but knows a little about string instruments.]

[ua_duibhne]

In shape only, as far as I can tell- though, I'm sure I've offended a great many people by saying so.

[More importantly, though... what an extraordinary mental image.]

You play?

[towards_okeanos]

Most likely only musicians, and even among them only those deprived of a sense of humour.

[He learned it not because he truly wanted but ended being at least half-decent before Lysimachus gave up.]

I did. My teachers deemed it a necessary skill for a well-rounded education. Haven't touched one in ages so that past tense is probably more than justified.

[ua_duibhne]

[It really is difficult to stay feeling too sorry for yourself when you're talking to the King of Conquerors.]

Ah, I see! My father attempted the same with me but without much success. [There's the hint of a smile in his voice.] Don't take this the wrong way but I can't imagine you playing a lyre.

[Maybe a very big one.]

[towards_okeanos]

[He has that effect on people.]

Well, I must admit I was a horrible student, always much more interested in fighting than music but my teacher, Lysimachus, was not a man easily discouraged. I think the fact my father had little patience for people in his employ that failed to produce results contributed significantly to his relentlessness.

[Iskandar laughs at that failure of imagination on Diarmuid's part.]

I don't blame you. I was only ten years old then, so several sizes smaller. I might need a custom made one today.

[It doesn't mean he's unable to handle delicate ... items with care now. Just ask Waver.]

voice; un: belmont

[quickwhip]

[ It's only because he recognizes Diarmuid's voice and because he's clearly bored at the moment that he replies to this... even if it's not that helpful. ]

Uh... a what now?

[ua_duibhne]

A cláirseach. Clar-shah. It's a kind of harp. [And then, because he can't quite resist the urge to tease him, he adds-] Big wooden thing with wire you make music with?

[quickwhip]

[ listen here you little shit- ]

Is this to sing Ciaran a lullaby at night?

[ua_duibhne]

He'd sooner throw me from the window than let me sing him a lullaby, Sir Belmont! You're welcome to try yourself, though.

[quickwhip]

I'm a hunter not a musician.

[ GOSH?? ]

Besides, he'd probably catch you after he tossed you.

[ua_duibhne]

The two are hardly mutually exclusive.

[He chuckles.]

Hmm. "Probably" sounds about right. He's an unpredictable beast, our Ciarán.

[quickwhip]

[ This our Ciarán thing makes him glad this isn't video. ]

Yes.

[ And after a looonnngggg pause. ]

Well. Have fun with your harp thing.

private

[ua_duibhne]

Somehow I get the feeling that it'll be some time before it starts being "fun" but I'll try.

[Ah, right. There was something else he wanted to talk to Trevor about- though he should probably do it privately.]

Speaking of Ciarán... it gladdens me that you're so close and anything that makes him happy has my blessing. But if you ever hurt him I will hunt you down and gut you where you stand.

[no his tone hasn't changed at all he still sounds pretty chill]

private 1/2

[quickwhip]

[ what the fuck???? ]

private 2/2

[quickwhip]

[ But... ok, that gets a bit of a chuckle out of him. Who knew Ciarán's partner could be so feisty. No wonder the dragon loves him. ]

Don't flatter me with a good time now. But I promise you I don't intend to ever hurt him. In... bad ways. Other ways, well, yeah. Who knows?

[ He started off so strong and yet... ]

voice; UN: Berserker

[curruid_coinchenn]

So that's what all that noise has been...I figured it was best to leave you to your own devices.

1/2

[ua_duibhne]

["all that noise"

all that noise

... noise....]

2/2

[ua_duibhne]

[that probably felt like a big cold blanket made of disappointment being thrown over you, berserker]

... I've been trying to practice while you were out. My apologies for disturbing you.

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Oof. He can feel the chill, for sure. ]

Don't take it so hard. I don't care what you do...It's not like you left a roomful of questionable experiments to deal with. I can handle you being bad while you learn to play an instrument.

[ua_duibhne]

No, I appreciate your honesty. I think. [He gives a self-deprecating little laugh.] Don't suppose you're secretly a master of the harp as well as battle, are you?

[curruid_coinchenn]

...No. I can't be of any use in that regard. They couldn't nail me down long enough as a child to even try to teach me.

[ua_duibhne]

That doesn't surprise me. But at least you have a pleasing voice to make up for it. [He laughs, the sound lilting and teasing. ] It's a shame I have to get you drunk before I can get a song out of you.

[curruid_coinchenn]

If you can learn to play that thing well, I will sing with you without being drunk first. How's that for motivation?

[ua_duibhne]

Sounds grand. [And he means that sincerely: there's something desperately romantic about the idea of dueting with Berserker, though he highly doubts that was intentional.] I already feel more inspired.

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ No, that wasn't his intention, but some part of him at least knew that Diarmuid would take it that way. That's fine, whatever motivates him. ]

Good...Get to it, then.

voice; un: dunscaith

[scatmaam]

I never learned, myself. In fact, I never learned a proper instrument at all until centuries later.

[ua_duibhne]

I'm surprised to hear that, I have to admit. [Something about playing an instrument seems very regal and genteel to him- he'd just assumed all nobility had some interest in it.] What did you eventually settle on?

[scatmaam]

A perfect thing for someone so associated with death as I am. The fìdheall.