A Story and a Song...

[smallspot]

Who: Diarmuid Ua Duibhne (smallspot ) and anyone who wants to run into a cute little kid.
Where:  An open grassy area near Building One.
When:  8-19, in the afternoon
Format: Starting in prose, but please use whatever you want to reply!
Summary:   There are a lot of fun ways to spend a warm afternoon, though, for a bitty knight the best way to spend it is...training!  Oh, and sometimes stopping to sing songs to his 'family.'
Warnings: Cuteness?

For once Diarmuid is using his cloak as something other than a blanket.  Right now, he is carefully spreading it out on the grass so that he can set his new toys on it.  With him are three small stuffed animals he got at the end of the festival--two adult swans and a baby one.

"Here is the father swan," Diarmuid carefully sets the first of the adult swans onto the cloak--the one he has picked to represent his foster father, Aengus.  He then sets the other adult swan next to the first, this one representing his foster mother, Caer, "And here is the mother swan!  And here is the baby swan who isn't lost anymore!"  The boy sets the baby swan in front of the two adults and then jumps up and claps his hands happily.

"Now the whole family is together again!  Watch me, Father!  Watch me, Mother!  I'll show you what everyone has been teaching me while I've been away!"  The boy bows to the toys and then picks his practice sword up off the ground.  He takes a few steps away before starting to practice the new sword moves he's been taught by Suzaku and some of the others who have offered to train him.

He knows that the toys aren't really his family, of course, but over the last few days he's been more homesick than usual and talking to them like they are helps for some reason.  Once he's practiced for a while, Diarmuid will sit down by the toys for a rest and to sing some happy songs to his 'family.'  After a few songs, he will jump up and start practicing again.  Diarmuid isn't really paying attention to anything going on around him, but he will be happy to talk to anyone who approaches him and be even happier should anyone decide they want to train along with him.

Comments

[smallspot]

[Diarmuid is so focused on practicing the spin kick/sword slash that Suzaku taught him, that he doesn't notice Arthur until he stops for a break. When he sees his friend, though, his eyes light up and he waves, before running over to her.]

Lord King! You found some new clothes! How are you doing?

[lytelcniht]

I have indeed, young sir.

I am well, and I trust you are the same-- are you busy practicing? How well of you to do so.

[smallspot]

Suzaku is teaching me sword moves. The latest one is a tricky move. I have to practice a lot to get it right!

[The boy bounces happily on his feet.]

Do you want to see the move? I am pretty good at it now.

[Diarmuid doesn't answer her question about how he is. It might just be because he's so excited about showing her the move or it might be because he doesn't want to let her know he's homesick since he's suppose to be a knight and be strong.]

[lytelcniht]

Suzaku, hmm?

[She clasps her hands together, seeming at least impressed.] Well, you are a diligent worker, aren't you?

Show me how well you're doing, little one.

[smallspot]

Okay, watch close!

[Diarmuid runs a few steps away from her and away from where he has his toys sitting so that he has plenty of space to do the move. He sets himself for a moment and then performs a spin kick that ends in a sword slash. For a boy his age, it's a pretty complex move, but he does it well, only slightly wobbling at the end.]

See! It's still not perfect, but I did pretty good that time!

[lytelcniht]

Indeed, you're getting very close!

[She crosses her arms, nodding.]

With more work, you'll become quite the fearsome knight, will you not, Diarmuid?

[smallspot]

I hope to be the bestest knight! That way I can help everyone be happy!

[Diarmuid eyes shine happily at the praise.]

With everyone helping me including a great king like you, how can I be anything but the best?

[lytelcniht]

[If only things could be so simple! But she remembers being so young.]

Well, you'll only get there if you practice diligently. Though, I'm sure I won't have to worry about that.

[smallspot]

No! I like practicing! It's fun and there is always something new to learn!

[He gives her a hopeful look.]

Is there a move you can show me, Lord King? So when I go home I can tell my father that King Arthur taught me this?

[lytelcniht]

Well, I cannot say I've taught anyone much of anything before…

[She thinks for a moment, putting a hand to her chin-- and trying not to think how strange it would be if Diarmuid could tell Angus he had learned something from King Arthur.

What had she learned as a child…?]

Well, I wouldn't wish to teach you what you already know. Tell me, what are you good at already?

[smallspot]

Oh! I am just starting, Lord King. I don't know if I am good at anything yet!

[Diarmuid looks down at this sword for a moment, thinking, and then shrugs.]

That move I just showed you is what I have practiced the most. I will be glad to learn whatever you want to show me!

[lytelcniht]

Well then, young one-- the best thing to earn at your age is to protect yourself. You have to stay strong and safe in order to help people.

[She draws her own blade, Caliburn, and holds it up.]

Every blade is sharp, but they can also be used as a shield when need be. So long as you can brace your hand on the flat of the blade, you'll be fine.

[smallspot]

[Diarmuid nods excitedly at her instruction, his dark hair flying around his head.]

Yes! My weapons are matched sets, so often I will fight without a shield. The other weapon can be a shield too!

[He takes a few steps closer so he can look at her sword.]

It's pretty! And it likes you. I can tell! You are meant to fight together for a long time.

[lytelcniht]

I should hope so. It is my most treasured sword.

[She demonstrates the block, then.]

Though, if you're working two blades, I would brace one against the other. You wouldn't have a free hand to work with.

[smallspot]

It knows you treasure it! That is why it likes you so much. It sings for you!

[Diarmuid gives the sword one more appreciative look before focusing his attention on the block she is showing him.]

I think that is how blocking with two swords works, but father hasn't told me about any of that. He says it is important I get good with one sword first before moving onto using two.

Besides, I'm not strong enough to use two. My arms are too little. Just like my legs! I will grow soon. Then I will be stronger!

[lytelcniht]

I'm sure you will. When that time comes, you'll have to be the most adept fighter you can.

[It's surreal, knowing what will become of this boy…]

[smallspot]

I will be! That is why I want to learn all kinds of weapons and ways to fight.

[Diarmuid makes a couple of trusting strikes with his sword.]

That way if something doesn't work, I will have something else to try! I can't help people if I let myself be defeated!

[lytelcniht]

[His confidence is charming. She nods, standing straight again.]

Yes, you're right-- but don't forget, you still have quite a bit of time to learn. Be in no rush, young Diarmuid.

[smallspot]

Rushing is bad! If I rush to learn something, I may learn it wrong!

[The boy lets his practice sword drop down to his side.]

Don't worry. I like playing still! I don't practice all the time.

[lytelcniht]

A wise boy you are, then.

[She's a little surprised by it, honestly.]

And it is good that you do. Have you many children to play with here?

[smallspot]

There are a couple, but mostly I hang out with just one. He lives right next to me.

[An excited look fills his eyes.]

His name is Cu Chulainn! He's my hero. Well...he will be when he gets big! Right now he's my best friend. Have you met him?