abyssdressing | (no subject)

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characters: repliderp

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[Today, Abyss DR, you'll find one small child plopped down in the middle of a pathway. He blinks and squints in the sudden sunlight, then turns his head away to try and block it out, not realizing that raising your hand to do so would accomplish the same thing. Once he dares to open his eyes again...

He looks confused, then scared. Of course, he's not sure what that uncomfortable feeling is that seizes his chest and makes the beating in it increase its speed, but he knows that it's unpleasant, and it makes him want to get away from whatever's causing it.

Where was he, anyway? This was bright with colors and shapes he's never seen before, not the dark, muted walls of the castle. He shouldn't be here, right? He was told to wait. Well... dropped to the floor and continuously pushed down every time he tried to follow that man until he got the message, anyway. But that message still rings clear - he needed to stay there. And he's not there anymore.

So, he's going to try to scoot and drag his way to a space between two buildings. It doesn't look as bright, so it's practically the same thing, right? Still... where was he?]

[[OOC: Hi everyone! Luke is as new as I am to this place, and not only that, but he's only about... oh, an hour or two old. Have fun with that!]]

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[SORRY, STILL HERE. Asch raises a brow at Luke's odd behavior, suppressing the urge to sneer over how pathetic his replica was at this age. Tch, he should try walking hundreds of miles fighting monsters left and right to stay alive some time.

Though, after a moment's pause, Asch realizes something. If Luke was this age, the age he was when he was captured and replicated, then...ugh. Damn. Damn, damn, damn, DAMN. Bracing himself against one of the walls of the two buildings, Asch knelt down to look like less of a threat, wincing at the pangs of pain.]

...Hey. Can you talk? I won't hurt you. [Or at least try not to.] Are you hurt?

[That gruff sound was still there, even though he can't see it. Why was it still here? He can't see it, shouldn't it be gone? To see if it's really still there, he peeks up, only to cringe away once he realizes that the man is even closer.

But he's lower, too, and looking at least a little less menacing from before. Thus, he doesn't duck his head out of sight again, but stares up at him; still frightened, his expression and his shaking hands should say that much, but... kind of curious, too.]

[Aaah, why is this happening?! Asch can't deal with normal children, let alone a tiny replica that can't do anything! He suppresses the urge to groan at the situation he's gotten into, and shifts uncomfortably. This position is really very painful... Can't he just grab the kid and sling him over his shoulder or something?]

You can't stay here. Come on, I'll...take you back. [GRUDGINGLY. And only until he can dump the little nuisance onto someone else. Sighing, and half knowing the kid doesn't know what the hell he's saying, Asch holds out his hand, palm turned up.] Somewhere safe.

[He probably shouldn't go anywhere. He was told to stay, and that's what he should do. Until... he's not sure. And, quite frankly, he'd like to be able to move. So, even though he doesn't understand the invitation, he is willing to go.

He stares at the hand for a moment, then reaches out his hand, palm turned down to rest it against the other man's... and he marvels over their hands. They both look the same. Not the same size, not even the same color, but the same shape. This man has five digits, too, ones that he didn't know how to use except to bend experimentally, and not gripping his wrist painfully like the scary man did earlier.

With his other hand, he grabs Asch's fingers - lightly, in a quiet, observing way, and feels along them. They're definitely much larger than his...]

[Asch was just about ready to take Luke's hand, until a second joined the first, and began touching and poking at his palm and fingers in such a curious way. He really didn't know anything at all, did he? This tiny little thing, who couldn't talk, probably couldn't walk, and didn't even know who or what he was had taken everything from him. Or so he was told. ...By Van.

Asch remained silent, and let Luke do as he wanted, lost in thought, and just regarded him quietly. His face was voice pd emotion, but Asch's thoughts were definitely swimming with something he couldn't even pinpoint. After a while, Asch's fingers curl and take Luke's small hand into his.]

...Luke. [Uttered softly, more like a whisper, as it felt so, so horrible for Asch to be telling the replica what 'his name' was, but it wouldn't be right for Asch to call him any of the derogatory terms he coined for the Luke he knew. Not when he was like this.] ...Luke.

[Come on, look up for a second.]

[In the middle of his exploration, he was cut off by the larger hand closing over his own. For some reason, it felt... kind of nice. It wasn't like what the scary man had done, when he twisted his wrist so much that he started to cry. His eyes might even still be puffy from it, though he wouldn't know it.

Then the man says something. At first, he's busy staring at their hands, and just as he closes his own hand a little to try doing the same thing - holding his hand, the man says it again. The same thing...

He looks up at him curiously. What was he saying?]

[...There. Good. Asch kept his face blank, but couldn't help it when just the corners of his lips curled upward. It lasted perhaps a fraction of a second though, before Asch gently moved Luke's hand, with his still holding it, to Luke's chest. He increased the volume of his voice, only so it would be clear and understandable. There was no room for error right now.]

Luke. [He gave Luke's hand the tiniest of squeezes, remaining soft and gentle. This was still a kid, after all, just a baby really, and even if it was the dreck, the one Asch hated more than anything or anyone...he couldn't. Just could not bring himself to harm a child.] Your...name. It's Luke. Luke.

[Try to say it. Come on. Just once is fine.]

Edited 2011-02-24 03:49 (UTC)

[Luke. Luke. Luke. He watched him form the words, and his own mouth moved as if he was trying to repeat it, though no sound came out. He's never tried talking before this, but the man looked like he was encouraging him.

And then he had placed his hand against his chest, squeezed his hand, was... gentle. Not like earlier, not like his first encounter with someone who had the same shape as him. What was he doing? What...

Wait, was he... telling him what- who he was? Something to call himself... His eyes widened just slightly, and he looked up at the man before he stared down at their hands. How had he done it...]

Uh... [Just that sound, the fact that he willingly did it, makes him pause for a few seconds and lift his free hand to brush his fingers over his throat - had he really done that? Was that the same noise this person was using? It was higher, but... He tried again, a little louder this time.] Ah... Ll-llloo... Lll-lu...

[How had he done it...]

Eh-heeh-keh... [There, that hard sound!] Ll-Lu... k-ke-ah? Lu-ka...

[Watching and listening with quiet interest and perhaps a slight sense of awe, Asch blinked when the tiny replica began sounding out the letters and syllables of his name. It was strange, to bear witness to such a thing - hearing a child say its first word. And this wasn't just a simple infant, but a replica. His replica. Asch didn't know whether to feel proud or...or something else.

Asch nodded when he got it right, giving the boy's hand another little squeeze. He repeated the name one more time, to enunciate and make sure Luke grasped the connection, then brought Luke's hand closer to his chest, and spoke again, very slowly but clearly.]

...Asch. Asch. My name...is Asch.

[Did... he get it right? By the squeeze of his hand, he... Luke can confirm that yes, it was right. And that's what he's known as: "Luke". It might take a few more tries for him to remember the name, but it already holds some weight for him, as it's his first word.

And then the man says something else: "Asch", and he's indicating to him. So... Luke is Luke, and this man is Asch. That's the second time he said "name", too... Is that what it means to be known as something?

Still, this new word seems a lot tougher, if only for the "sh" sound. Luke stares intently as Asch's mouth as he sounds out the word, and he frowns a little and grips Asch's hand, possibly for some form of comfort and support, as he tries it for himself.]

Ah... ah. [This is hard. "Luke" was easy enough, though the L and the K were kind of hard, but this? But he wants to get this right - this man is nice. If doing this means that he'll squeeze his hand again, then Luke will try hard to get it right.]

A-th... [No, that's not right. How did he do it?] A-ch... A-shh-sch?

[It was so strange, listening and watching this happen. Back then, when he was younger, and saw his replica being babied by his family and the maids, crying over a mere trip up, he thought it was disgusting; pathetic. Now, though, with the knowledge that Luke really couldn't function like a normal human...it was strangely inspiring to see him able to sound out words and do so well, even on his first few tries. Maybe he wasn't such a "stupid dreck" after all.

Sensing Luke's struggling, Asch gave Luke's hands another little squeeze, to encourage him, and he said his name again, sounding out each sound, like Luke was. He probably looked like an idiot, but right now he didn't mind. Luke had to know just who he was going with, after all. He nodded when Luke got it right, and repeated his name a final time.]

Asch.

[Hm, he had to bring Luke back, too. As warm as it was getting, it was still cold outside, and there was still snow. Plus, the little kid was horribly dressed... He should take him back and take proper care of him. ...He couldn't walk though, could he? Holding out his hands in a "come here" gesture, Asch took a careful few steps back. He'd have to carry him, yes, but he just wanted to judge how well Luke could do.]

Come here. ...Walk. Can you walk, rep--...Luke?

Asch...?

[He said his name, "Luke". What does he want him to do? He's holding his hands out, gesturing towards him... He wants him to go to him, doesn't he? But... Luke hasn't even tried standing on his feet. Rather, he did once, but as soon as his feet touched the ground that rough hand grabbed his wrist and...

Luke purses his lips and frowns at the memory, and he shifts in his place, and he can't help shivering slightly from the cold. Asch was standing on his legs... That's what they were used for, weren't they? Moving. But Luke wasn't at all confident in his abilities, nor did he want to try, so he looked down at his own legs as if he was uncertain, then reached his hands out to give one tentative scoot to Asch. That's okay, right? Should he... really be moving from here? He didn't feel safe anywhere, but at least there it looked somewhat like the dark place he was in before.

After he moved, Luke ducked his head a little and glanced around nervously, as if he was looking for that scary man to just burst out and push him down again.]

[Blinking in confusion at Luke's odd behavior, and reluctance to even try getting up, Asch took a slow and tiny step forward.]

I'm not going to hurt--

[Then it seemed to click. hiding in a dark place, reluctance to move, looking around suspiciously...Asch knew this. Asch remembered this. His lips pursed into a thin line at the memory, despite his efforts to remain emotionless and somewhat less intimidating. Van must've done to the replica what he did to him. Locked him up, told him to be still, all those terrible things Asch remembered. He looked back at Luke, and felt something gnaw inside him. Pity? Satisfaction? Asch didn't know, and promptly ignored it.]

...You can't stay here. If you won't walk, then you're going up. Come on.

[And up you go, little dreck! Asch takes a hold of Luke firmly under the arms, hefting him right up and over his shoulder. ...Not the best or kindest way to hold a small child, but it worked! He'll start taking Luke back to the inn after making sure he was all right up there and not going to move and fall. ...Or scream in his ear. Or pull his hair, or... Maybe he should just leave him here.]

[At first, Luke froze up, looked around wildly and made a few panicked and confused sounds as he left the ground - he left the ground, what was going on - and suddenly found himself on Asch's shoulder. He gripped his clothes and let out a couple of other sounds, ones that sounded dangerously close to crying...

But then they were moving. And Asch had a stable hold on him, and Luke had never been carried before this! He quiets down and stares at the spot as it grows further away, looks down at Asch's legs as they move, studying the motion and lightly kicking his own legs in response...

And then he starts to giggle. The gentle bouncing, the fact that he's so high up and even how he's balancing almost precariously on Asch's shoulder... It's just so much fun! Luke relaxes against Asch and just watches everything pass by, and though he stares at everything with the curious eyes of someone seeing them for the first time, he still laughs and giggles on occasion.]

[When Luke began to whine Asch increased his grip on him - lest he wriggle and fall - and braced for the loud sound of crying so close to his ears, his pace slowing, as if waiting for it any time now... Asch wasn't good with kids - he knew that very well. He had never liked the whiny ones, and the ones he could tolerate were all afraid of him. And when one cried...well, Asch had no idea how to deal with it.

He practically held his breath waiting for Luke to begin screaming, but the sound that reaches his ears is not the one he was expecting. ...Laughing. The replica was laughing. Wh-What the hell? Why was he laughing? Asch gave a curious glance to the little dreck on his shoulder, making sure he wouldn't fall with all the moving he was doing.]

Hey, settle down... You're going to fall if you keep moving like that!

[Asch frowned, shifting Luke a little bit so he was more secure. He increased his pace, rubbing at Luke's back and arms to keep him warm, and seemed happy when he got back to the inn where he stayed. He's...need another bed, though. Or maybe an upgrade to a suite. Asch couldn't keep using the inn's kitchen to cook, after all. And now that he had to take care of the kid...ugh.]

[Asch's voice as well as the shifting just made Luke laugh again, though he settled down and kept still, if only because the hold felt nice now. He stared up at the sky - it was a bright blue color, completely different from the dark castle walls. He wondered what it was called... but how to make that known?

Before he could figure it out, they were inside another place. This was warmer than any other place Luke had been to, and he relaxed even more in relief. He kept leaning against Asch, though he lifted his head to look around. Where were they now? This was different very different than the two places he was in before... This place isn't as bright as the cold place, but also not as dark as the scary place.

He looked up at Asch curiously after spending some time examining the room and whatever objects lay within it.]

Asch?

[ashjkchdjhw--little dreck, you better not be laughing at him or it's the corner for you! Asch was just about to upgrade to a suite, fishing under his tabard for his wallet, before Luke spoke. He stared at him for a moment (and pointedly ignored the "aww"-ings of some of the inn's female staff) then moved the tiny child from his shoulder to resting more on his hip instead. His chest still hurt from his injuries upon re-arrival to this world, and having Luke worming around there would only cause him discomfort.]

Yes? What's wrong? ...Are you afraid?

[More "aww"-ings from the corner got a trio of maids a stern glare, and they scuttled off quickly. Asch turned his attention back to Luke afterward. Was he scared of this new place? He was looking around like crazy just a second ago.]

[... Nope, he didn't understand a word of that. At the same time, he wants to try and convey what he's feeling to Asch, but... how? The only words he knew were "Luke", "Asch" and...

Luke holds onto Asch's clothes as he looks around again, as if he's not really sure what to pay attention to first. There's so many new things that he's never seen before, so many new things that he wants to touch so badly! To try and convey this, he looks up at Asch again and:]

Nn... na-name?

Name? What--

[...Oh. Oh, he understands now. Luke hadn't really been anywhere but at Choral Castle, where he was created. All these new things and places must have been very confusing to the little replica. Hm, that means Asch is going to not only going to play babysitter and caretaker for a little bit, but also mentor. Marvelous.]

This is an inn. ...Inn. It's a place where people stay and sleep when they're traveling. We're going to get a bigger room. [Yes. Right now. Asch digs out his wallet, pays for an upgraded suite - one with a kitchen - and takes his new room key once everything is all set.]

[... Oh dear, what was that big long sentence? Luke just stares up at him with wide eyes, as if he had no idea what he just said, then just holds onto his shirt and goes back to looking at everything. Well, that told him nothing. He might be pouting just a bit, though it's not like Asch can see it. It's just a little frustrating.]

[Wh-Why is the little dreck looking at him like that? Asch opens his mouth to try explaining again, but then Luke looks away and leaves him hanging. 8| Stupid little dreck.

Asch frowns, shifts Luke into his arms, then makes his way toward the elevator. Their new room would be on a higher floor, and he's not hauling a wriggly little kid all that way while he's still injured. ...Hm. Actually, maybe he can do something Luke will like. Pointing to the button to call the elevator, Asch says to Luke.]

...Push.

[And then he feigns pushing the button, though he merely taps it.] Push.

Edited 2011-03-04 01:08 (UTC)

[Oh hey, what's this now? Luke pays attention again, looking up at the buttons while Asch speaks and shows him the motion. Is that what that is...?

Luke looks down at one of his hands and makes that same motion in the air - "push"? Huh... With that, he reaches out to push the button!]

Puh... Puch!

[... Except that was really fun, so before Asch can react, he reaches out BOTH HANDS to suddenly push ALL THE BUTTONS]

Puch! Puch!

No, push. Push.

[Though Asch's stoic tutoring turned into mild panic the moment Luke pushed ALL THE BUTTONS. He jumped a little, pulling the little dreck away with a loud cry of "NO!", but it was too late. They'd have to wait for the elevator to make a stop.

Every. Single. Stop.

And their room was on the eleventh floor.]

Stupid little...!

[Though Luke was startled out of his playtime by the movement and the exclamation, the end result still had him giggle lightly and reach his hands towards the buttons again, even though he can't reach them. Look, they lit up! And it was fun, too!]

Puch- Pu-sha!

[Asch grimaced, and pulled Luke away from the buttons, scowling first at him, then at the wall of lit up buttons. He clenched his teeth together and shifted Luke into his arms. He'd have to make Luke and himself comfortable for the long wait.

Stupid little dreck. B|

And...yup, that was the door closing and the elevator lifting up and...stopping. And the doors opening again. To which Asch all but mashes the door-close button.]

Bed for you when we get up, you dr--...brat.

Edited 2011-03-06 03:41 (UTC)

HOW U DOIN?

I'M DOIN' GOOD HOW ABOUT YOU

I'M DOIN GOOD.

GOOD GOOD /ON LUNCHBREAK

HOW'S WORK?

TIRING ;A;

/HOLDS ;A;

/HOLDS ;w;

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