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[Diarmuid's bruises and aches and pains have eased, and the bruises have gone from purplish to a muggy yellow-brown as they begin the process of fading; really, the only thing left of Luna's attack is the shiny pink scar tissue hidden under a lot of unruly hair. So when he answers the door, he doesn't look too bad off, especially with large, long robes to mask the worst of it.
He looks a bit startled for a moment when he realizes who it is, and then his brain catches up; it must be Luna, freed from the influence of the town, here to make amends. It happens often enough that Diarmuid expects it like clockwork ā not just from her, but from others who struggle with the way Deerington hurts them.
He smiles brightly, as if there's no terrible situation between them.
As if the last few weeks were nonexistent.]
Luna, my friend...! Would you like to come in?
... I would not mind a sugary snack, as long as you don't tell on me.
He looks a bit startled for a moment when he realizes who it is, and then his brain catches up; it must be Luna, freed from the influence of the town, here to make amends. It happens often enough that Diarmuid expects it like clockwork ā not just from her, but from others who struggle with the way Deerington hurts them.
He smiles brightly, as if there's no terrible situation between them.
As if the last few weeks were nonexistent.]
Luna, my friend...! Would you like to come in?
... I would not mind a sugary snack, as long as you don't tell on me.
Oh I get around just fine.
I think working through it makes it get better sooner, right?
But do not worry, Peter, she will be ok.
It just takes time. It always fades with time.
I am worried trying to go to her insted of her to us will make her more nervose or defensive.
I think working through it makes it get better sooner, right?
But do not worry, Peter, she will be ok.
It just takes time. It always fades with time.
I am worried trying to go to her insted of her to us will make her more nervose or defensive.
[ Holidays aren't exactly relevant to his brand of demon, but Paimon's curiosity and desire to learn have had him very interested in what's going on with this. When he learned it was a time of giving, it's definitely been on his radar. Maintaining his bonds with others in this place is extremely important for him; he often bestows little gifts to people. Now here's a time designated for that.
He's been practicing his art, and he's evolved to making more detailed miniatures again (something a past self used to do.....) Delivered sometime on the 25th, left on the porch, is a figure:
The little doll is very intricately made, comprised of different pieces and parts of random things he's been collecting over time, glued and fastened together. For Diarmuid, it's something that... Paimon can't quite explain. Something meant to be holy, perhaps. An angel, or simply a figure of light. Happy Holidays, Soft Monk Boy. š ]
He's been practicing his art, and he's evolved to making more detailed miniatures again (something a past self used to do.....) Delivered sometime on the 25th, left on the porch, is a figure:
The little doll is very intricately made, comprised of different pieces and parts of random things he's been collecting over time, glued and fastened together. For Diarmuid, it's something that... Paimon can't quite explain. Something meant to be holy, perhaps. An angel, or simply a figure of light. Happy Holidays, Soft Monk Boy. š ]
[ While Diarmuid's cheer would bring her some comfort, some relief ā she feels undeserving of it in the face of it. Because there is a terrible situation between them. She's done something awful, to him ā to someone she considers a very dear friend, and one of perhaps her oldest friends in this place. Diarmuid's one of the people she's known the longest, a staple friendly face in Deerington's uncertainty.
Her own smile is a little strained in reply, mixed with sadness. She nods quietly at his question. She would... prefer not to have this conversation out here in the cold and snow. ]
I'd... appreciate that. [ There's an exhale and she shakes her head before stepping into his home. ] Oh, no. You don't need to worry about that. They're very much all for you.
[ He can even keep the tub, if he wants. ]
I was hoping we could talk. About what happened.
Her own smile is a little strained in reply, mixed with sadness. She nods quietly at his question. She would... prefer not to have this conversation out here in the cold and snow. ]
I'd... appreciate that. [ There's an exhale and she shakes her head before stepping into his home. ] Oh, no. You don't need to worry about that. They're very much all for you.
[ He can even keep the tub, if he wants. ]
I was hoping we could talk. About what happened.
I would like to share nonetheless..!
[Diarmuid collects the tub and moves to deliver it to his small table near his fireplace and cauldron. He hesitates, though, as he puts the gift down... slowly. Cautiously. He had known she came for a conversation, but perhaps he thought that there was a sliver of a chance his reply would leave her waving the past month off.]
There's ā nothing we need talk about, Luna.
Not if it bothers you. It was ā just the town's tricks again.
[Diarmuid collects the tub and moves to deliver it to his small table near his fireplace and cauldron. He hesitates, though, as he puts the gift down... slowly. Cautiously. He had known she came for a conversation, but perhaps he thought that there was a sliver of a chance his reply would leave her waving the past month off.]
There's ā nothing we need talk about, Luna.
Not if it bothers you. It was ā just the town's tricks again.
Or you could be like me and lie in bed doing absolutely nothing
[ He's halfway joking........ Honestly, Peter could do with some lessons in.... Actually Trying And Being Productive, from Diarmuid. Maybe likewise, his friend could do with some lessons in how to Chill And Do Nothing. One of these days, he'll introduce Diarmuid to his trusty bong. ]
But yeah, I think you're right
Giving her space is definitely best right now
John's working on it and he knows all about this kind of thing
[ He's halfway joking........ Honestly, Peter could do with some lessons in.... Actually Trying And Being Productive, from Diarmuid. Maybe likewise, his friend could do with some lessons in how to Chill And Do Nothing. One of these days, he'll introduce Diarmuid to his trusty bong. ]
But yeah, I think you're right
Giving her space is definitely best right now
John's working on it and he knows all about this kind of thing
[ Diarmuid missed out on the cool scarves that Luna knitted last year, but she still had plenty of wool left and Diarmuid definitely needs one in his life. So, for Christmas, Luna's knitted him a scarf in Hufflepuff house colours ā the house they'd once talked about him belonging to if he were ever to be at Hogwarts.
When worn, Diarmuid will find himself encased in a low-level warming charm, enough to keep the chilly weather at bay. Enclosed with the scarf is a small note: ]
To Diarmuid,
'... you might belong in Hufflepuff,
where they are just and loyal.
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
and unafraid of toil.'
Merry Christmas!
ā Luna.
When worn, Diarmuid will find himself encased in a low-level warming charm, enough to keep the chilly weather at bay. Enclosed with the scarf is a small note: ]
'... you might belong in Hufflepuff,
where they are just and loyal.
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
and unafraid of toil.'
Merry Christmas!
ā Luna.
Yeah, that's him
He's a little rough around the edges but he seems like a really good dude
He's helped me a lot too
So I think Luna's in good hands
[ Sometimes.... you need an adult to help. They may be Older Teens, but they're still kids in so many ways. ]
He's a little rough around the edges but he seems like a really good dude
He's helped me a lot too
So I think Luna's in good hands
[ Sometimes.... you need an adult to help. They may be Older Teens, but they're still kids in so many ways. ]
Then that's alright.
[ They're his brownies, he can do with them what he likes really.
She watches him hesitate, and she has a sinking feeling he's... trying to play down what happened. Luna wrings her hands in reply, brow furrowing. ]
It bothers me if we don't talk about it. [ Because there is... very much a lot they need to talk about, in her eyes. ] I know it was the town, but that shouldn't be a reason that I'm excused from my actions.
[ They're his brownies, he can do with them what he likes really.
She watches him hesitate, and she has a sinking feeling he's... trying to play down what happened. Luna wrings her hands in reply, brow furrowing. ]
It bothers me if we don't talk about it. [ Because there is... very much a lot they need to talk about, in her eyes. ] I know it was the town, but that shouldn't be a reason that I'm excused from my actions.
... I suppose we can. We should. If you want it.
[The boy gives her a nervous look like he's absolutely trying to play down what had happened. With a little sigh, he reaches out carefully, though he hesitates a bit, worried that she'll rip herself away from his immediate area ā he doesn't want to make her feel uncomfortable.]
It happens all the time, Luna. I've gotten very good at letting it go and moving on.
[The boy gives her a nervous look like he's absolutely trying to play down what had happened. With a little sigh, he reaches out carefully, though he hesitates a bit, worried that she'll rip herself away from his immediate area ā he doesn't want to make her feel uncomfortable.]
It happens all the time, Luna. I've gotten very good at letting it go and moving on.
I'm doing okay
I just miss her a lot
It's... really weird knowing I can't see her right now
[ And no doubt, after John (hopefully) helps Luna through this, Peter will need to give her a bit of time to recover. ]
It sucks that she had so much to deal with in October and never really got a break from it?
She kind of had to babysit me a lot because I was zonked out half the time
This place is relentless
I just miss her a lot
It's... really weird knowing I can't see her right now
[ And no doubt, after John (hopefully) helps Luna through this, Peter will need to give her a bit of time to recover. ]
It sucks that she had so much to deal with in October and never really got a break from it?
She kind of had to babysit me a lot because I was zonked out half the time
This place is relentless
But that doesn't make things alright.
[ It's not alright that things like this happen all the time, that they're simply forgotten about. Luna wrings her hands for a moment, her lips pursing. Her voice grows quiet as she watches him reach for her. She's... hesitant, she wants to say her piece. ]
I hurt you. I could have killed you. And I know I fortunately didn't. [ She feels that's what he'd try to assure her with: you could have, but you didn't. ] Things like that shouldn't be just... swept beneath the rug so easily because we're afforded with luxuries that death isn't permanent here, that we're made to hurt the people we care about. You know?
[ It's not alright that things like this happen all the time, that they're simply forgotten about. Luna wrings her hands for a moment, her lips pursing. Her voice grows quiet as she watches him reach for her. She's... hesitant, she wants to say her piece. ]
I hurt you. I could have killed you. And I know I fortunately didn't. [ She feels that's what he'd try to assure her with: you could have, but you didn't. ] Things like that shouldn't be just... swept beneath the rug so easily because we're afforded with luxuries that death isn't permanent here, that we're made to hurt the people we care about. You know?
A lot of things here aren't 'right', necessarily...
[He trails off, though he seems to mean it as a way to let her off the hook ā an abortive gesture, and he sighs after her words. Seeing her even a little upset on his behalf... it bothers him, terribly.
His hand fidgets with the cross and amulet on the chain around his neck, for a moment.]
Can it not be swept under the rug if I am the one sweeping it?
[It's a half-hearted joke, but...]
... I imagine anything I could say won't make you feel much better about it.
[He trails off, though he seems to mean it as a way to let her off the hook ā an abortive gesture, and he sighs after her words. Seeing her even a little upset on his behalf... it bothers him, terribly.
His hand fidgets with the cross and amulet on the chain around his neck, for a moment.]
Can it not be swept under the rug if I am the one sweeping it?
[It's a half-hearted joke, but...]
... I imagine anything I could say won't make you feel much better about it.
Thanks, man. That definitely goes both ways.
And I'd really like that. We should do some hangin sometime soon :)
[ Little does he know that they'll soon be whisked away to a hotel for a month....! But maybe there'll be some time to recover, there.... In any case, Diarmuid of all people certainly deserves a break. ]
And I'd really like that. We should do some hangin sometime soon :)
[ Little does he know that they'll soon be whisked away to a hotel for a month....! But maybe there'll be some time to recover, there.... In any case, Diarmuid of all people certainly deserves a break. ]
[ Luna's more upset at herself than because of him, really. She's the one who's hurt him, after all. It's not his fault. ]
I'm afraid it doesn't work like that.
[ There's a smile at her lips, but there's little humour in it. Nice try though, Diarmuid. ]
No. Not really. [ It's maybe something she can learn to feel better about in time, but she certainly isn't looking for some kind of absolution from him. ] But I do know I need to make it up to you, somehow. I feel that forgiveness shouldn't be given so easily, you know?
I'm afraid it doesn't work like that.
[ There's a smile at her lips, but there's little humour in it. Nice try though, Diarmuid. ]
No. Not really. [ It's maybe something she can learn to feel better about in time, but she certainly isn't looking for some kind of absolution from him. ] But I do know I need to make it up to you, somehow. I feel that forgiveness shouldn't be given so easily, you know?
[His hand twitches, nearly reaches up to the pink scar that had formed under his bangs. He doesn't, though. He reaches out instead for her hand and gives it a small squeeze.]
Then so it must be. I shall ā let you tell me when forgiveness is earned.
When things are put evenly once again.
[... He looks at the brownies, looking a bit hungry.]
And these tip the scale already, of course.
Then so it must be. I shall ā let you tell me when forgiveness is earned.
When things are put evenly once again.
[... He looks at the brownies, looking a bit hungry.]
And these tip the scale already, of course.
[ She's... wondering just how bad she'd hurt him. She does remember the blood on his face, and a pang of guilt hits her. But there's a small smile when he reaches to squeeze her hand, she nods quietly and squeezes his back in reply. ]
I'd appreciate that. I... have a feeling you might be a little too lenient.
[ Diarmuid is too good for this world in general. But she suspects he'd probably been far too easy on her with them being good friends. It's because they're good friends that she feels that forgiveness should be earned. ]
Oh, please. [ She gestures with a nod. ] Don't wait on my behalf.
[ There's a short pause. ]
... were you alright? After you woke up? Did someone find you?
I'd appreciate that. I... have a feeling you might be a little too lenient.
[ Diarmuid is too good for this world in general. But she suspects he'd probably been far too easy on her with them being good friends. It's because they're good friends that she feels that forgiveness should be earned. ]
Oh, please. [ She gestures with a nod. ] Don't wait on my behalf.
[ There's a short pause. ]
... were you alright? After you woke up? Did someone find you?
[He shifts on his feet uncomfortably, because he cannot lie.
He has never been very good at lying, and the feeling that follows it is a nightmare to endure.]
No, but I was only unconscious for a short time. I was able to make my way back home and all; trust in me when I say I am more durable than I look.
He has never been very good at lying, and the feeling that follows it is a nightmare to endure.]
No, but I was only unconscious for a short time. I was able to make my way back home and all; trust in me when I say I am more durable than I look.
You do look... well.
[ She tries to smile, but it doesn't reach her eyes. Her head dips slightly, brow furrowing. It's more of a... her being glad he's healing well. That she didn't gravely injure him, that it was something to come back from.
Not that it makes it any better ā she still hurt him, didn't she?
With a soft inhale, she looks back up to him ā eyes flicking towards his forehead. She does remember approaching him after; she'd touched his head. She'd felt regretful, but more bitter than anything. Anger had quickly set in, and she'd dismissed him. ]
I remember blood, though. [ Durable, of course. But still fragile like paper. ] Can I see?
[ She tries to smile, but it doesn't reach her eyes. Her head dips slightly, brow furrowing. It's more of a... her being glad he's healing well. That she didn't gravely injure him, that it was something to come back from.
Not that it makes it any better ā she still hurt him, didn't she?
With a soft inhale, she looks back up to him ā eyes flicking towards his forehead. She does remember approaching him after; she'd touched his head. She'd felt regretful, but more bitter than anything. Anger had quickly set in, and she'd dismissed him. ]
I remember blood, though. [ Durable, of course. But still fragile like paper. ] Can I see?
[Diarmuid's expression softens.]
... If you wish to see.
[He does not want to deny her. He knows if he were her, he would want to see the harm he'd caused, regardless of the circumstance. But he bites his lip and ā with equally soft words, he adds:]
But you ā don't have to.
[Punish herself, that is.
Redemption does not mean you have to punish yourself.]
... If you wish to see.
[He does not want to deny her. He knows if he were her, he would want to see the harm he'd caused, regardless of the circumstance. But he bites his lip and ā with equally soft words, he adds:]
But you ā don't have to.
[Punish herself, that is.
Redemption does not mean you have to punish yourself.]
I'd like to see, yes.
[ Maybe, if it's bad, she can offer something for the healing. Or try to. She's not really sure what she can do, even with her potion-making. But it could be something to make up for it, something to think on.
But she notes his pause and she shakes her head; it's not a terrible injury. He's up and walking ā she didn't take it too far, like with Clarisse. That's... something, at least. ]
It'sā I'm alright. Really.
[ She thinks. ]
[ Maybe, if it's bad, she can offer something for the healing. Or try to. She's not really sure what she can do, even with her potion-making. But it could be something to make up for it, something to think on.
But she notes his pause and she shakes her head; it's not a terrible injury. He's up and walking ā she didn't take it too far, like with Clarisse. That's... something, at least. ]
It'sā I'm alright. Really.
[ She thinks. ]
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