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[ It appears someone has set up some training dummies on a certain couple's lawn. Who would do a thing like that? Why, Asch would, that's who. It would appear his intentions are to get some training in; far be it from him to let his fighting skills get rusty.

This means he is in plain sight of anyone who happens to have come out this way. Just be careful about sneaking up on him or anything like that. Why? Because apparently Asch doesn't practice with wooden swords; he's using a recently sharpened blade.

This said, he probably won't actually stab anyone even if they don't announce their presence. But he might come close to it.

Hey, it's not his fault he's not expecting any visitors. ]

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[Watching the display, there is possibly a very quiet "snerk" heard at the dummy's demise and upon finding the sword's business end pointed at himself, Jade smiles, and raises his right hand it what might be greeting.]

Asch, how wonderful it is to see you; you haven't changed a bit. I must admit that I wasn't expecting to be here either, but out of a great kindness I was asked over.

[Did his smile grow? Yes, yes it did. A smile that he would only use when someone was about to become highly annoyed.]

((OOC:I hope you have a good night's sleep~!))

[ Asked? Asked? Asch couldn't fathom who in their right mind would-

...No. No, that was a lie. He knew exactly who would extend an invitation to Jade, really. And perhaps he wasn't one to talk, considering he had extended a similar invitation to others, but he liked to reason that his invitations had at least been to ~~poor unfortunate~~ ~~needy~~ ~~dying~~ younger versions of his replica. Or, people he could troll as opposed to people who would troll him. Ironically, either way led to some form of annoyance for Asch usually, but that's almost like saying he'd breathe, so... ]

Some would say I've changed more than they're comfortable with, actually. [ "Some" would generally be versions of Luke who have difficulty wrapping their heads around Asch being relatively nice to them - the Asch scale of niceness is a little skewed, of course, considering the starting point is "wants to grind you into the dirt with the heel of his boot," but that's a different matter entirely.

He'll avoid the matter of Jade being invited to his home entirely for the moment. ]

Oh? I am quite sure that I'll enjoy it~

[Jade...was downright evil. He couldn't begin to hope to read Asch's mind, but he knew inherently the man's thoughts anyway, or at least parts of them. It was clear he wasn't welcome, and yet had not been turned away just yet. Being the practical man he was, he definitely had no intention of leaving until he was set up, or politely asked to vacate.

To this end, Jade did intend to try to not overstep his bounds.]

Of course, maiming innocent dummies hardly lends to your case.

I was unaware I had to 'play nice' with the dummies I've set up for my training. [ Really, isn't it enough that he plays nice with his replica these days? Besides, Asch was never the sort of person who would relax in his training; he sees that as creating a disadvantage for himself should he need to fight because he would no longer be properly prepared. ]

I merely meant it looked like you slipped, I apologize if I've offended your sensibilities.

[Something about that apology likely didn't ring true, because he didn't mean it. At least the words were offered, with a smile. Jade could certainly understand the need to keep in form though, if he didn't, why he'd never keep up with Anise and her little adventures.]

Perhaps if you can try to keep this just under life-threatening, I might train with you?

[ There's something about Jade that always makes Asch twitch. At least it's not a violent twitch this time. ] Truthfully, I'm more interested in the circumstances that have brought you here. [ Here as in to his home. And circumstances as in why Luke extended an invite. ]

[Jade knew exactly what Asch meant, far-reaching problems usually seemed secondary to the man, and this was why he planned to intentionally mis-read him. With a small grin, he shrugged.]

I couldn't begin to say really. I was enjoying Ambassador Tatlin's delightful company, when I suddenly found myself here~ I must say it's a bit of a shame, but at least I can see both you and Luke.

[ Things like this are the exact reason why Jade annoys the crap out of him, really. ] I might say I am rather surprised to hear you would view that as a positive.

[ And then the first bit he said really sinks in. And he stares. ] Ambassador? [ What little he ~~begrudgingly~~ knew of the former Fon Master guardian had never really lent itself toward that sort of political aspiration. Just when was this damn four-eyes from? ]

Not at all, Asch. I am very fond of Luke, and while you were always the disagreeable sort, I know you cared deeply for your and his friends. [Though, Jade apparently still was reluctant to count himself amongst them.]

Oh yes, Ambassador~ I was quite pleased she kept her word she'd revealed at the final battle. [At this, he adjusted his glasses. Since mentioning the final battle also had the potential to bring up Asch's death.]

"Disagreeable" is a relative term. [ And could be applied to Jade as well. ] It really depends on who I am forced to deal with. [ He may be saying Jade just brings out the disagreeable side of him. ]

...Uh...huh... [ He still can't really see Anise in that sort of role; sure, he knew more or less that she was - or could be - serious and dependable, but the requirements placed upon an ambassador didn't seem to mesh with other aspects of her personality. But, again, that assessment was based on what little he knew of her; it's not as though he'd had as much contact with any of them as Luke had. ]

...

And I'll take it that you haven't seen either Luke or myself in some time if you mentioned you could at least see us here. [ Well, he won't bring up his own death - or Luke's, for that matter - if Jade won't. But he would like to gauge just how long it has been since then for him. ]

Oh? [Jade did know a shot at himself when he heard it.] It pleases me greatly that I bring out your better side then~

Anise has certainly grown into a very becoming woman♥

[Well, strange implications the statement might indicate aside, Jade moves right into the next part. Asch, and Luke.]

Well, the Luke I know is usually busy with the Replica Rights Foundation...and Tear. You are--Well, it's been around six or seven years since I saw you last. So, I am happy to see the both of you. [Jade knew here what wasn't said would carry through just as strong as what had been. He sighed, and finally offered Asch a genuine smile. It was true they didn't get along, but things should have turned out differently.]

[ That last bit makes him kind of ignore the rest of what Jade said. His gaze looks a little distant and an almost sad smile overtakes his features. ] So there's at least one world where Luke didn't choose self-sacrifice for my sake.

...I'd say it was more you were too stubborn to let him, likely. [Jade couldn't begin to speculate. There were just too many possibilities; they could have only been able to make one body and Asch kicked his Replica out of the core. It could be as this Asch suspected. Or, Jade's own Asch survived and was in hiding. One thing was certain was that Jade couldn't say for certain, and he considered it a great injustice.]

Or, perhaps you just came back and are in hiding. However, I am curious how the both of you survived in your particular situation.

[ ooc; LJ's technical difficulties are making me so frustrated. ]

"In hiding," huh. [ That phrasing was ironic at best, considering he and Luke had rather hidden themselves away while they were on Auldrant and that he had made sure to keep a low profile and avoid attention when he had returned there recently. ]

I wouldn't necessarily say we survived, as it were. Luke chose to have Lorelei revive me rather than herself and ended up within the Fon Belt. [ Asch does absolutely nothing to hide the obvious displeasure in his voice about that particular situation. ] I spent the next couple years working on a way to restore Luke's body, with Lorelei's aid.

((OOC:...This makes two.))

...Ah. That makes a lot of sense, actually. ["A lot of sense" was an understatement. Perhaps...This was what his Luke had been doing? Still so many answers he didn't have, and while he'd hardly lost touch with everyone, his correspondence was as poor as ever.] I'll bring this up if I ever arrive back on Auldrant.

Well, it does seem to have brought the two of you a lot closer, yes? [Jade was hinting he knew a little something, but then again; how could he not know as he did say he'd been asked here.]

I would recommend looking into it a little more extensively before suggesting it to anyone. [ At the very least, Asch has a feeling other versions of himself would have generally unfavorable reactions to being revived by Luke shortening his own lifespan. Not that his own Luke had reacted very well to the news of him having done the same. ]

Hn. Closer is one way of putting it.

Ah? ...Of course. [The way Asch phrased it made it seem like a repeat of his own mistake years ago might occur. While Jade wasn't far from the truth, it didn't matter. The redhead was right, of course. Something he'd probably take no small amount of pride in.]

Do tell. [He chuckled. Yes, he was curious about Asch's take on his and Luke's relationship, as her's had only been half of the story.]

And, of course, Lorelei was no help at all with actually figuring anything out. [ Gripes. Asch has many of them. ]

...Well, she is to be my wife at some point. [ Whenever they actually get around to it. He's hoping sooner rather than later, really. There's, surprisingly, no malice or sarcasm in his tone when he says this, either.

Asch really isn't trusting enough to let Jade know about their son, though, since he has no idea if Jade knows about Aidan or not. ]

...I must confess, I had gathered as much. [Nothing like a useless deity, right? Well, this did make him quite happy he'd never needed the Aggregate Sentience himself, but this didn't help his Luke.] I would like to borrow your notes, when there's a better opportunity.

[Here, Jade smiles. Laughing softly, he gives Asch a very approving look.] Well, I'm quite glad to hear I'm not the only person with wedding bells on my mind~

[ A useless diety with no sense of privacy; Lorelei has had a tendency to just show up in their house and admitted to watching Asch and Luke while they sleep ] Once I have them back, you're free to take a look. [ Since he just loaned them to a replica with more pressing needs - such as only a couple weeks to live at best. ]

... [ Oh Lorelei, Jade; that breaks Asch's brain a least a little bit. ] ...Dare I ask?

[Amazing. Jade would have plenty to say about such behavior, but then again; who actually liked Lorelei? Surely people like the deity, but.] Oh? Well, I suppose I'm hardly the only person in need of them, thank you.

[See how big Jade's smile is? That's because he's very happy Asch is a bit nervous to ask. Though, perhaps the real reason is he's just happy he doesn't need to hide it here.] Anise♥ I'm trying to marry Anise. [For their particular situation, "trying" here is a very important keyword.]

More or less; there are a few Lukes who could benefit from that information here. [ Not only do replicas practically sprout out of Asch's lawn, a number of them are also dying. It's very troubling.

[Asch definitely latches onto the "trying." Who would have ever thought he'd get a chance to act like a smug bastard toward Jade? ] What's wrong, even she can't bring herself to enjoy your company anymore?

I quite agree, though, it is a shame such things seem to repeat.

[Jade pushes up his glasses here, smiling, but definitely not with his eyes.] Anise and myself are in a delicate situation that we are working to resolve.

It just means we were backed against that same wall no matter the universe. [ He doesn't particularly like admitting to that. ]

...I see. Well, I wish you luck with that, then. [ He actually sounds... well, at least partially genuine. He's still not sure what to make of this whole thing. ]

Perhaps if we all work together we can shake off the Score. It would be a nice dream.

Thank you, Asch. Perhaps I'll be more open to talking about it when I'm not upset over it. [He smiled, looking off and seeing nothing briefly before his attention returned.] Now then~ Perhaps you might tell me more about your house?