abyssdressing | I'm sorry, he's being really loud

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I'm sorry, he's being really loud

[Someone's making good use of his time here. Now that he's here, and things aren't... they aren't interfering with things at home, it's a little freer. He doesn't have to hide inside a stuffy medical facility to keep Van and the God-generals from finding out about his condition, for instance. Though unfortunately, this comes at the price of worrying what's going on at home, and what's going to happen if he can't get back in time. But for now... he'll take what freedom he can get.

Not that he has the energy to do much with that freedom, and

indigaytion probably wouldn't be pleased if he started pushing himself too much. But it does give him the chance to do... small things.

Like go out on short walks and just look at things, things he hasn't really had the chance to see for a while, though after a couple weeks the novelty has started to wear off a little. Still, there's something to be said for being able to just sit down, take your shoes off and stick your toes in the grass, feel the cool autumn breeze and watch clouds bustle by, when you know you won't be able to do any of these things for too much longer. Though lately something about that's been bothering him...

Bother y/n?]

[[ooc; open like a news stand on election week]]

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[ This time of year does offer the perfect weather for strolls, with the temperature not being too extreme in either direction and by providing a kaleidoscope of foliage. So it's little wonder that someone comes bounding along towards Luke - though that someone happens to be a certain cheagle sans ring. Who scurries between Luke's legs to hide from another replica that comes storming after him. ]

Dammit, Thing!

[It just wasn't smart for Asch to be outside and out of reach of help from the Luke he knows. He knows that as well as Luke, because the fact is that without his medicine around, it's a lot more dangerous to risk being active.

But today Asch's chest felt fine. Sometimes he has days like this, when the pain isn't so bad, and he feels like he can go outside. Besides, Luke can't be there all the time, even though it seems like they're stuck here.

So, while Luke is away, Asch is out for the very same reason as this other Luke. To see the sights, just for the sake of seeing it. He hadn't been outside of Meltokio except to sneak out, so this is like a brand new sight for him.

It's during this that he comes across Luke, watching the clouds with his toes in the grass. By now he's heard of duplicates; Luke told him that much with wide eyes full of wonder and confusion. Asch can just look at this Luke, see how pale and thin he is, and know that this is a different version. Quite frankly, it unnerves him to see him that way... and to know that what Luke said was true, that there are duplicates.]

What are you doing outside?

[Even though he's different, he still looks like his brother. He can't help the brotherly concern; his tone isn't even accusatory.]

[Luke blinks at the sound of someone - or something, at least - bouncing towards him, and glances down in time to jump in surprise at a cheagle suddenly crawling into his lap.]

What the- [hold that thought. Blue fur, floppy ears...] Mieu?

[And the other replica's shout only confirms it. This Luke's still new to the nexus, so he doesn't realize how odd it is to actually find a Mieu here.]

Oh... is he with you? [From your world? He has no idea if being from the same Auldrant is common or not...]

[At first the voice makes Luke jump, stare at Asch with wide eyes, and try to scramble to his feet, stumbling a little as he does so. He's halfway there when he realizes... wait, this might not even be the Asch from his own world. It... it certainly didn't sound like him, at least. In Luke's own version of Auldrant... Asch was... not happy with him, at best. Unhappy that he was such an idiot and was stuck sitting around and doing nothing because they might need him later to free Lorelei but he had to live that long to be useful...

It's a little too late, though, and he at least completes the motion, staggering upright and looking awkward.]

I-I just thought I'd look around a little.

[ For better or for worse, the only reply Luke gets is an excited "Mieuuuu!" before the cheagle makes a dive for cover to avoid being snatched up. Or rather, to keep hold of the object he's toting around. ]

Unfortunately. [ Greetings can wait. Luke sidles left and grabs at a tuft of white fur sticking out, but just misses as Mieu shuffles the other way. Ring around the replica time! ]

[ At least until Luke realizes how damned stupid this is and thinks to ask for assistance. ]

Grab that idiot, would you?

[The movement makes Asch's eyes narrow, and he moves in to grab his arm - not roughly, but in an attempt to support him and keep him upright as Luke staggers upward. This... doesn't look good. Not at all. He looks like Asch on his bad days...

Nngh. He can feel his chest ache. And here he was doing just fine...

Whatever. When he's sure Luke's steady, he crosses his arms over his chest and just. Looks him over.]

You look like you've worn yourself out already, you idiot.

[Still, no accusation. In fact, there's some understanding in his tone. Asch is sure that he'll be worn out himself by the time he makes it back to the house he and Luke found.]

Sure.

[Luke is all too happy to oblige. If nothing else, Mieu and this other Luke running around him in circles was starting to annoy him, or at least make him feel uncomfortable. After a couple misses, he manages to grab Mieu by one of his ears ~~some things never change~~ and when Mieu jerks to a sudden, surprised halt, grab the cheagle properly. Hey wait, was he holding something?]

Gotcha!

[ Luke takes the familiar squeak of success as a signal to snatch Mieu by the other ear in case he should make a break for it (again), though their combined manhandling causes Mieu to drop his loot into the grass: one Jewel of Lorelei. ]

Thanks a lot. He can be quick when he feels like it! [ Luke scoops up the red gem with an irritated huff, giving it a thorough once-over to check for damage before flopping down beside the other replica. Thankfully it looked okay... ]

Man, I can't believe he ran this far.

[Luke is equally surprised by Asch's help to steady him. This just... this isn't what he's used to seeing from Asch at all. He does murmur a thanks once he's steady on his feet though, looking away slightly nervously.

At Asch's comment though, Luke rubs his arm awkwardly.]

I'm fine... [Dammit Asch'll probably see right through that.] ...I wasn't going to stay out for too long anyway.

[Luke releases the errant cheagle, instead choosing to lean over to get a look at the object the other Luke was holding. Was that really... it was. The Jewel of Lorelei... Luke didn't have his, anymore. He'd had to give it to Asch and the others, so that they could shut down the Planet Storm...

This is also the point where he notices a few differences with this Luke - most notably that they have much longer hair (probably something to do with time... Jade had mentioned something like that was possible, in addition to duplicates) and that they... didn't really act like he used to.]

Was it really far?

[ Mieu knows when he's been beat and sinks into the grass between both redheads, ears drooping. If they hadn't spent close to an hour trekking all over for a ridiculous game of keep-away, Luke might have felt a good deal more sympathetic towards the cheagle. As it was, they both were slightly worn out and Luke stuck with glaring as punishment for now. ]

All the way from the other side of town, the twerp! I don't know what he was thinking.

[ Speaking of thinking, Luke only now gets a solid look at the other and quirks an eyebrow. Something was off. It was hard to put a finger on, but it was plain to see that this replica -assuming he was one- wasn't a mirror image of most Lukes. He almost resembled Ion in a way... ]

... Tch. You're just as thick-headed as he is.

[Nonetheless, Asch makes no move to drag him back inside. Instead, he looks away and at the sky. It's more like he's as thick-headed as he himself is... though he can't say for sure what's wrong with Luke. Maybe it's some other kind of sickness, something temporary.]

[Man... it's... it's so weird, to think about anymore. To hear about someone running across town like it's some huge distance, when he used to be able to do that easily. Sure, he might be winded by the end of it, but he could still do it. Now... it'd be impossible. The fonon separation was skewing his perceptions on everything. It hadn't even been that long, either.

Still, hearing about the little cheagle's exploits made him quirk an eyebrow, and he can't help but aim a half-incredulous, half- ... maybe impressed look down at the cheagle.]

Man, back home, Mieu just rides around in the item bag... Why was he running off with the Jewel though?

Who's "he"?

[... who you talking 'bout, Asch-that-is-not-from-my-world? ... though now that he's able to look at this Asch... he's noticing something a little off about him too. It... it wasn't as bad as Ion ~~or himself~~, but... Asch didn't look good...

The idea that something was wrong with Asch was enough to make Luke frown in slight worry.]

Er... are you okay?

...

[Yeah, Asch will avoid that last question. Instead, he lowers his head to a level position to look at Luke again. He can at least answer that first question of his.]

My brother. He looks like you, Luke.

I know! I can't figure out how he went and got so athletic on us. Must be because cheagles are like bite-sized liger snacks with feet.

[ Just what the world doesn't need-- cheagle nuggets. As if the roast rappig from Keterburg wasn't bad enough. Luke follows the other's gaze to give Mieu a much less enthusiastic stare, though his apologetic posture nets him a fond, albeit rough petting. It wasn't as if he always absconded with their belongings.

However, the pets stop for a brief moment at his question. It probably wouldn't hurt to tell him, but Luke had learned it's worth being cautious when meeting new people. Even yourself. ]

Oh, you know. He must have thought it would act like the Sorcerer's Ring or something. [ Lame, Luke. Lame. ]

[... the whole avoiding thing is never a good sign, but any thoughts he might've had to press Asch further are derailed by that comment. He turns and stares at Asch in amazement. Thankfully he's already been introduced to the idea of duplicates as well.]

I'm... I mean... The Luke from your world... he's... your brother?

[Wait... wasn't there a Luke who... was worried about his brother? The first duplicate of himself this Luke had met... It can't hurt to ask, can it?]

Uh... did... was he wearing a... like a big gem right here?

[He gestures vaguely at around his collarbone]

[The comment about liger snacks makes Luke snicker a little. It was certainly true, and would make a lot of sense. Though his grin turns a little to a frown at that next part.]

But... why doesn't he just use the Sorcerer's Ring?

[HE SEES A FLAW IN THINE LOGIC ~~he thinks~~]

[ Okay, so Luke's logic might have holes in it, but they're not that big. Hopefully. ]

We don't have it here. He returned it to the cheagle elder like he was supposed to, then he went and got himself lost here with us. I've managed to teach him how to communicate a little since then.

[ Writing is the easiest way seeing as how both parties know the Fonic language, though it sucks for verbal instruction. There's only so many "Mieus" a human can decipher. ]

Huh... [He does not envy you for the Mieu-deciphering...] Kind of sucks he got lost here after he gave back the ring...

But... why would the Jewel work? It disperses fonons... [Plus wasn't the Sorcerer's Right like... some kind of capacity core or something? Luke forgets...]

[ Needless to say, there is much frustration that leads to yelling. ] No kidding. Though I guess he couldn't keep it forever.

...who can tell with how he thinks? Maybe he forgot. [ Lies. Luke has always been bad at them and hasn't gotten any better. The cheagle isn't helping either, with his flailing and tugging on not-master's pants leg. Time for a topic change! ] By the way, are you new here? It can be hard to keep track of everyone...

[... Why was this Luke so surprised by that information? Wasn't he brothers the Asch in his world as well? Or... wasn't he? The mere thought is strange. Luke's always been his brother to him...

He answers that one with a nod, though... when he asks about his brother, Asch narrows his eyes again. Yes... a big gem right there. A big gem that shouldn't even be there, one that should be on his chest.

Asch tightens his arms around his chest a little and looks off to the side.]

He shouldn't have been wearing it to begin with!

[... But yes that's the one.]

[... okay that's really really suspect. And- what, no, don't try to change the subject on him- ... except he really has no idea what to ask to keep the previous topic going. Not right now at least. He may try to come back to it later.

At this Luke's question though he sighs, running a hand through his hair.] Yeah... I got here a couple weeks ago.

I thought so! You look more... tired than most of us. [ That's what it is, what seems so strange about him and makes unease creep up at the edge of Luke's mind. ]

Are you okay? Maybe it's the light, but your face is pale. You haven't been here all by yourself with nowhere to stay the entire time, have you? [ The Jewel gets stashed in a pocket, freeing up both of Luke's hands free for poking at the other replica and feeling his forehead for a fever. Oh man, what if he tried cooking and gave himself food poisoning... That would be so damn lame. ]

[Whoa wait what- Suddenly he's got his alternate poking and checking him, and it's enough to make him flinch back a little in surprise. It's not something he really expected, especially not from a version of him with long hair.]

I-I'm fine! It's... [He hesitates. Not sure how much he really wants to say on this one... especially if the Luke he's talking to doesn't know.] I'll be okay. And I've been staying with Jade. Er... a Jade.

[More like Jade's been looking after him, really.]

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