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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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[ Would this be a bad time to mention Asch has this strange fondness for breaking ~~Lukes'~~ people's brains? ] Yes, son. He's about two by now, actually...

[Luke pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to wrap his head around that. A male original. A female replica. Having a child. That didn't make any sense scientifically, and it was making his brain hurt so bad that this was the only reply he could manage:]

...ow.

[ He's going to have to learn that, sometimes, it's better not to question things. Or at least to do what Asch does: blame Lorelei.

Regardless, Asch raises an eyebrow. ] Something wrong?

The massive impossibility of your entire situation is very painful to my mind.

Well, as I said. Lorelei has some interesting ideas where we're concerned. And one annoying sense of humor.

Interesting... Lorelei must be different at each world as we are, because my own has been largely... absent.

[Well, not really, but he doesn't know that.]

Sometimes I wish it was less active with us. [ No. Seriously. It admitted to watching him sleep. There was not enough "What the FUCK, Lorelei?!" in the universe. ]

...Although, at the same time, I suppose I can't begrudge it completely considering Lorelei made it possible for my son to even exist. [ And Asch would not trade Aidan for anything. ]

Ah... I see. That explains it.

[Because his brain still couldn't wrap around it happening naturally.]

As near as I can figure, anyway. My best guess is it changed things around for Luke - moreso than just her gender - when we brought her back.

That would be the logical explanation. Otherwise, with your same genetic mapping -- aside from your Luke being female -- it would have been impossible for any child to be created by the two of you.

[For a brief moment, his mind wandered, wondering what would have happened if some mishap had made him female when his master found him...]

[...and he promptly turned bright red, dashing the resulting mental imagery from his mind.]

[ ...Oh, come on, Luke. That's just begging for Asch to lean in with a smirk. ] Something on your mind?

[Luke forced his color back down, clearing his throat.]

Nothing you would understand.

[Because really, how does one properly explain Szayel Aporro fucking Granz to another?]

Hmm. If you say so. But I'll point out, that was a good look for you, too. [ ...What the fuck, Asch? ]

[...yeah, seriously. Way to make Luke mentally keysmash and turn red again.]

I hardly think such a comment is appropriate.

Maybe not. [ But it amuses the shit out of him. ] That doesn't make it any less true.

[Amazing how someone that's half dead can turn such a vivid shade of red. Luke cleared his throat again, trying and failing to get his color down.]

I believe we were playing cards, were we not?

[ Indeed it is. Poor Luke; he would run into the Asch who enjoys ~~trolling~~ teasing Lukes.

Asch is totally on to you trying to get some breathing room and save face, Luke. ] We were. Unless there's something else you'd rather do, of course.

[Oh god, poor Luke. He just kind of freezes for a moment, his brain going through several reboots before he finally has the ability to reply to that.]

Just... what are you insinuating?

Hmm, I wonder.

[...stop looking at him like that.]

[ But he's loving how uncomfortable it's making Luke. ]

[No. Bad Asch. No treat.]

You delight in tormenting others, don't you?

[ The question earns Luke a deep chuckle. ] Only replicas. [ ...Well, and anyone else who will play into it. Maybe. Apparently growing older has matured him in some ways and brought about the childish side he was never allowed to have in other ways. ]