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

[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.]