abyssdressing | (no subject)

[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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[As Asch took Luke back to his room, where the bed was larger, he tried to remember all the lyrics of his mother's lullaby for him, pushing out the questions of whether she sang that song for the replica at all or not. It was supposed to be his lullaby. Now it was just another thing the replica had taken from him--

No. No, that's not right. Stop thinking that.

Asch squeezed his eyes shut, angry with himself for straying down that bitter road once more, when Luke so desperately needed him, and began to rock the little boy gently in his arms as he - yes, Asch, himself - began to sing. It was quiet, barely above a mumble or a whisper at first, then began to grow as Asch grew more confident. It's not like his voice was bad or anything, quite the opposite, but Asch had never done this before. He never thought he'd have to! Ever.]

Goodnight, sleep tight...no more tears. In the morning, I'll be here. And when we say goodnight...dry your eyes. [He wipes at Luke's face again, for anything that remained.] Because we say goodnight...and not goodbye.

We say...goodnight and not....goodbye.

[Ah, what an ironic lullaby. It both pained and calmed Asch, but he kept his emotions hidden away, focus all on Luke now. Please sleep, little brother. You need to sleep now.]

[For a long moment all Luke could think about was everything that happened back in the castle - the dark, the cold, those eyes, those ghosts... It was all he knew back in that other world. No one came for him after he was told to stay...

But those thoughts break once he hears Asch's voice again, and not just speaking to him, but... what was that? It sounded so... pleasant. Soothing, peaceful... He strained to listen, and it was as if all of those dark thoughts floated away, as if the melody washed over him and made him feel... better. Safe. Home...

It was the first song Luke had ever heard. And judging by how quickly he relaxes and how he shuts his eyes, shuffles closer and begins to breathe deeply, it works. Luke didn't know it, but he was a replica, made of nothing but the fonon that embodied sound. Of course, that meant that hearing such a soothing sound would have a tremendous effect on him.]

[Asch is amazed by how rapidly the lullaby took effect to calm his little replica down. He looked down at him for a moment of two then started again, singing the song again and he shifted slightly to lay down in bed with Luke in his arms. It'd be better this way, even if Asch hadn't slept with anyone in his entire life. Luke wouldn't feel as scared if he was right there with him.

The movement of Asch's hand on Luke's back, and over his hair, was slow and tender, trying to lull the small child to sleep. Asch hushed him again, watching Luke's face as his lullaby dimmed to a slow and steady hum. It's okay...it's okay if you take this. He'll give it to you this time, replica. Just this one time, Asch will share something important of his with you. You need it right now, don't you? He understands.]

[Yes, he certainly needs it right now. But don't worry, Asch... That song is still yours. You're only sharing it for a while. That doesn't mean Luke won't want to hear it again, though.

Once they're laying down, Luke shifts closer to Asch and fists his hands lightly in his clothes while resting his cheek against him. He can feel Asch breathe like this, and the movement and the warmth, as well as Asch's actions and most especially his singing, serve to soothe him even further. It isn't long until his breathing evens out and deepens, a sure sign of sleep, and he doesn't go to the castle again. He's here and safe with Asch, and his dreams won't be remembered in the morning. He'll only remember the lullaby.]

[Asch remains awake even after Luke is lulled to sleep by his song, rubbing his back, petting his hair, or just watching his face. He sighed softly, and leaned his head on his pillow. This...wasn't so bad, really. Luke was warm, and having a body close to him - a body he trusted to be near him in his most vulnerable state - was strange and even comforting.

Asch tucked the little replica's head under his chin and pressed his face into Luke's hair, smiled into it as his eyes shut and sleep began to overtake him. Maybe, just maybe, he'll have good dreams tonight. Perhaps he could actually sleep easily this one time, and greet the dawn without bitterness.]