The apocalypse is nigh!

[mieudesuno.livejournal.com]

Asch agreeing to a drink with Emperor Peony? Luke studying more or less willingly? Asch chuckling? Uncle Jade?

It would appear Abyss Dressing Room has inexplicably stumbled upon the four signs of the apocalypse. This must explain why there is suddenly a horde of monsters poised to attack. Redheads! Denizens! Defend your nexus!

...Just be careful with those artes. Looks like the apocalypse is a lot fuzzier and noisier than anticipated. As such, every arte used spawns at least two dozen cheagles. And Mystic Artes spawn about fifty.

Good luck. And welcome to Luke's Asch's anyone who isn't Tear or Ion's hell.

Comments

[prismshards]

Um... We're Luke? And out of practice when it comes to being on the front lines?

[hymnotic]

So you practice and get back into the right condition.

[prismshards]

My sword skills are fairing okay. It's the mental roadblock that has me stumped.

[hymnotic]

Hm? Roadblock?

[prismshards]

I don't think I can fight against people anymore.

[hymnotic]

Ah...

Well, that's part of why I made my switch.

[prismshards]

To using your fists? Hm... How's that work for you when not facing monsters? Your range can't be as long as with a sword and I know I'd suck with guarding.

[hymnotic]

It took a lot of practice and a lot of Asch kicking my ass, but a lot of it has to do with speed and my movements. But at least like this, I'm more likely to just knock someone out, you know?

[prismshards]

That beats the alternative for sure. Maybe there's some kind of non-lethal weapon I could try out instead of having to change my entire arsenal around. [ Luke pauses for a moment, thinking, then-- ]

--I got it! A doll like Tokunaga! Half the time Anise could sweep the enemies right off the field if she wanted!

[hymnotic]

Ugh, something like that? It's so tacky... And didn't she say something about Dist making it?

[prismshards]

But it'd work great for not killing anyone! ...oh yeah, he did make it for her, didn't he. Dammit.

[hymnotic]

Hmm, but fighting like this is pretty damn fun.

[prismshards]

Well, I wouldn't want to come right out and steal your fighting style. Push comes to shove, I'll figure out a new way to knock sense into people, not that I'll have to worry about it from the looks of things.

[hymnotic]

It's not stealing, it's borrowing! Besides, it's fun; imagine punching Asch right in the face. [ He doesn't just mean when he punched Obsidian; he has actually done that to his own Asch a few times in training. Asch was not amused and retaliated quite harshly. But he won't say that. ]

[prismshards]

[ Luke wasn't the most prone to violence even when pissed off, but damn if the idea of getting Asch back for all those insults, threats, and manhandling doesn't sound at least a little appealing. If he could pull it off, it would be divine retribution for him being a total dick the entire time. ] In that case, I should give it a try!

[hymnotic]

You should. It's totally worth it!

[prismshards]

[ He takes a moment to consider Luke's wording, then gawks. ] ...you mean you've managed to do it before? Without losing a limb?

[hymnotic]

To my Asch? Yeah, a few times in training. Not to say he didn't hit me right back or anything... but I totally nailed this super jerk Asch after I got here, too.

[prismshards]

Haha! Nice one! You'd think we deserve to get a few free hits in after putting up with his bullying. ..."super jerk", huh? How's that any different from normal?

[hymnotic]

Hmm, I think I have something better for having put up with him being such a jerk.

...I'd take how Asch used to be over that jerk any day...

[prismshards]

Not sure if I'd count living with him as a positive...

Eh? Are we still talking about Asch?

[hymnotic]

I guess that all depends on how things change while you're living together.

...Well, he was Asch from some version of Auldrant or another. Jerk kept acting like replicas are property.

[prismshards]

I can't picture him without that scowl, let alone his attitude being much different.

...you're right. That is worse than how Asch normally is. Him being disappointed in me beats that all to pieces.

[hymnotic]

Hmm, well, he does still scowl a lot, I guess, but he's a lot calmer and he doesn't yell at me for no good reason. We get along really well these days, actually. [ Really well. Go ahead and ask him how well, Luke. ]

Right? It was so satisfying to slam my fist into his face.

[prismshards]

He must have kept that expression too long and lost the ability to smile. [ Still, it makes him happy to hear one of them has a better relationship with their original. ] So would you say you're almost friends by now?

[ That mental image forces him to slap a hand over his mouth to keep from bursting into laughter. ] Pffft! Score one for the replicas!