abyssdressing | (no subject)

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characters: scionofhispower

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[Clearly, redheads have never been in short supply here.

As a result of this fact, seeing Asch sitting at a table with that smug "I'm better than you" look of his shouldn't really take too many people by surprise. Oh, sure, the lack of any discernible agitation is probably a little disconcerting as is the presence of a deck of playing cards set upon the table within easy reach of his right hand. Of course, this Asch is a little different from most, missing anger notwithstanding; it isn't too hard to tell he is a fair bit older, somewhere within his early-to-mid twenties.

Regardless, he is Asch. And he? He is challenging you to a game of poker.

Ready to try your luck?]

[ooc; Unlike

swallowfury, Asch here is definitely not reset, so he retains any CR he had from the last time I was around a couple years back. Of course, he's not going to come out and just let you know who he is; he feels like being a bit of a jerk, so even if you do know him, he's going to leave you guessing. Especially. If you're a certain replica. Why? Because he can. ~~And, no, he's not going to deal cards to kids. But he might go into papa mode on them.~~]

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[Asch takes the cards and starts shuffling again. As he does, though, he figures he might try to gain some information.] You say you're no longer human; if you don't mind my asking, what are you, then?

I am a hybrid; while I retain some humanity, I relate more to my arrancar side.

[He paused, before glancing up at him.]

I believe you humans refer to arrancar as 'evil spirits'.

[Asch's eyes narrow very slightly at this.] I see. I can't say my past experiences with anything we'd consider an evil spirit have been particularly amicable...

[Luke shrugged easily.]

Evil spirit is a bit of a misnomer, especially for the arrancar. We are what we choose to be; our capacity for emotional depth is just significantly less due to our need to feed on souls.

Tch. Sounds rather like the sorts I've dealt with, just with a different source of sustenance. Besides... [Asch really can't believe he's about to say this; he'll lose all of his trolling credibility.] I'd say being emotional is just about my replica's best trait; I can't imagine it would have been much different for you before.

E...eh...?

[Luke can't keep the surprise off his face at that. He never imagined an Asch would ever say something like that. A moment passed, before he let out a breath, allowing a small smile to come to his face.]

I... need to be careful. I still have a better capacity for emotional response compared to pure arrancar. It has an... excessively negative effect on me.

[ Well, now; with how Luke had been acting as well as his mention of lowered emotional depth, Asch had to say he hadn't been expecting the other to become startled by his words. Somewhere inside himself, that amused him at least a little bit - down in that part of himself that was always amused whenever he managed to make any Luke flustered, confused, or embarrassed because, older and more mature or not, it was still entertaining to him.

But the last bit he said... ] Negative? How so?

[Luke hesitated a moment, before lifting his shirt and jacket just enough... to show where a massive scar on his chest had rapidly healed. At least, that was what it was supposed to be. It looked more like he had suffered a sever burn... although, that is what happens when your chest explodes from the inside.]

I am an unnatural thing. The arrancar side of myself is in constant war with my physical being.

...!

Luke...

[Luke returned his shirt and jacket to their proper positions, smoothing out the wrinkles.]

It is under control, so long as I take care of myself.

That doesn't make it any less troubling, you realize. [ Particularly to an Asch who gave part of his life to bring his own replica back. ]

My apologies.

[He paused a moment, staring down at the table.]

I saved my own Asch from this fate, though I doubt he would have fared very well against my master.

[He managed a smile.]

I suppose this is one thing I took from him that he would not have minded losing.

[ He shakes his head slightly. ] You don't need to apologize. [ It's not really Luke's fault that Asch actually worries over his replica - and other versions of his replica - now, after all. ]

...

[ It takes a conscious effort to stop himself from reaching over to him; perhaps it's an instinct that's formed in him since growing closer to his Luke, or maybe it's something he gained after becoming a father, but part of him is almost compelled to show compassion despite knowing it likely wouldn't be... appreciated, he supposes, in this situation. ] It may not be my place to say, but I doubt he would have wished this fate on you.

I...

[Luke paused, wanting to deny it, but...]

You're... probably right.

...

...My apologies. [ He won't admit to this even if pressed, of course, and he knows it's irrational, but he's apologizing for Luke's situation. Because even if this isn't his replica and even if he couldn't have stopped it with that in mind, he is sorry that Luke couldn't be saved from something like this. ]

[A real smile came to Luke's face then, and he leaned back in his seat.]

I appreciate it, even if it is not necessary.

... [ That makes Asch smile a bit as well. Although, really, it's unfortunate that his smiles generally look more like smirks. ] That's a much better expression for you.

[Luke could tell the difference, though it brings a smirk to his face.]

Really now? Such a compliment... careful, Asch, you may make another Luke jealous.

Oh, I doubt that; she knows she's the only one I'd ever go after.

...

[Buh. Rewind.]

'She'?

[ You know, Asch is starting to wonder if anyone has met his ~~bride-to-be~~ replica with how many times he's received this reaction. ] Yes, she.

[Poor Luke is trying to picture himself with boobs, and failing miserably. Wow.]

Interesting...

[ Don't worry, Luke; his replica is flat as a board. ] That's one way of putting it. The best explanation I've had for it is Lorelei certainly has... interesting ideas where we are concerned.

That much is obvious. I wonder if Lorelei ever comes here...

...It has before. [ Bad memories. Bad memories. Because Lorelei doesn't understand the concept of doors. Or not entering rooms uninvited. Or why it is creepy for him to watch Asch and Luke sleep. And who knows what else Lorelei watched them do. ]