abyssdressing

[It was kind of hard to miss that loud screeching, even if he didn't have much better hearing. He sighed faintly, following the sound of the princess's voice, emerging behind her.]

Natalia, there is absolutely no reason for you to bellow like that.

[Sorry, but if you were expecting a long haired whiner... you're out of luck. You're getting a short haired creeper with a weird bone mask on his face.]

[Natalia spins around on the heels of her feet, readying herself to nock an arrow before she realizes the person who spoke is indeed Luke.]

Luke! [She frowns up at him, but lowers her voice (and the bow) this time. Luke was always one to speak his mind, but she doesn't precisely appreciate his word choice just now.]

'Absolutely no reason'? Then perhaps you could explain why you left me behind. I thought we had reached an agreement...

[Her eyes dart back and forth across his face, taking him in. Finally her eyebrows crease in confusion.] Luke, what are you wearing? This is no time to be masquerading around, not with things as they are.

[ How perfect! Luke here is from just before Zao. Though with dressing room development, so there's a chance he won't be such a brat! ]

Agh, shut up already!

[ ...or maybe not. ]

[Yes, well. Dealing with this once is one matter, dealing with it twice consecutively is just plain rude. And (un)fortunately, there's no confusion attached this time, because Luke is certainly both looking and acting as he should.]

[She turns in his direction, a scowl clear on her features and her hands on her hips in a clear expression of indignation. ~~A/N: not the arte.~~]

Luke! Is that any way for you to be speaking to your fiancée? Do you have any idea how worried I was?

[ Now that Luke's had a moment to think about it, he just blew his chance of escaping without a lecture. Dammit. Not that he would have let Natalia here on her own. But if his brain-to-mouth filter had been working, he could have stuck with a simple "Over here". ]

[ Instead it's time to face the wrath of Natzilla. Which he does by staying well out of her reach and sulking. ~~If Natalia could use Indignation, everyone would be screwed.~~ ]

Yeah, well, you didn't have to go hollering! All that'd do is attract monsters!

[Luke couldn't keep the amused smirk off his face as he leaned back against a tree, folding his arms over his chest. The tree creaked softly in protest... maybe because it was old, not because Luke pressed back against it harder than he intended. That would be silly.]

My apologies, Princess, but you'll have to put whatever important thing you were in the middle of on pause until the multiverse decides to return you to your place in the fabric of reality.

[Sorry, Luke. That's not good enough for her. She was very concerned, and to hear nothing but complaints right now... it's simply unacceptable. Aren't they supposed to be in this together? Aren't they destined one day to rule Kimlasca together, not as individuals, but as a team?]

And just how would you have known where I was if I hadn't raised my voice? [She heaves a sigh, and backs down just a little. After all, this is Luke; she doesn't want to remain angry with him.] There don't seem to be any monsters present, but if we had remained split, who can say what might have happened to one of us!

[Well, in either case, Natalia is less worried about the tree than she is the young man who gave her such a fright. And just what is he up to anyhow? Not only is he refusing to take off that ridiculous costume, but he's behaving quite strangely.]

Luke...? [She frowns, clearly not sure what to make of this situation.] What are you saying and what precisely do you mean by this 'multiverse'?

[A note of worry.] Are you ill?

[ Though he isn't about to say as much, it's something of a relief to know Natalia is still the same nag as usual and none the worse for wear. And why shouldn't she be? She hadn't been here long enough to have her brain broken by duplicates, whisperings about the future, and other crazy stuff he's heard. It's totally unfair for her to pin the blame on him! ]

That's what I'm saying! I could've found you some other way! You'd have been in trouble if a bunch of monsters ganged up on you! [ Is that... a hint of worry creeping into his voice? It's hard to tell when he sounds perpetually angry. ]

[Luke snorted.]

Of course not; I haven't been capable of contracting human illnesses for some time.

[He paused a moment, leaning back to look up into the sky, muttering about how he was going to explain this...]

...I suppose an adequate explanation would be that you've been kidnapped by a power greater than our mere existences, and brought here to this plain. The 'why' and 'how' parts I'm still trying to figure out.

[Perhaps she notices it, perhaps not. For the moment she seems to be latching onto the one most important statement. Natalia takes a step backwards, looking both hopeful and a little apologetic. But only a little.]

Then... you truly were looking for me? You wouldn't have hurried ahead to meet up with the Dorian General and left me behind? [Yes, that would be her biggest fear, because Natalia has barely even discovered what fear is yet.]

[What's gotten into him? Luke doesn't sound at all like his usual self, and it's very worrying. And he keeps saying things that simply don't make any sense to her. She's having a difficult time keeping up with all of it in the midst of her confusion.]

I'm afraid I don't understand. Why should this higher being wish to kidnap me? And just how is it that you can claim to be immune to sickness?

[Is this really her Luke? The thought comes unbidden, but there it is. Luke's not acting like himself, and then there's that other man who looks just like him. What is she to make of all this?]

You are... [She can't say it.]

[ He can't say that he'd been searching for her, because he hadn't. Not for a while, anyways. ]

I told you could come along and I meant it! We made a promise, right? [ Even being brash and obnoxious, Luke still tries to keep his word as best he can. Not to mention Natalia is handy in battle. ]

[Luke let out an annoyed noise.]

I said I was still trying to figure out why. Could you not comprehend that?

[He raised an eyebrow at the last part, mildly surprised. She clearly recognized him as a "Luke," though obviously not the one she was expecting. Well, not that anyone would expect him.]

Yes, I'm Luke fon Fabre. Or, perhaps more accurately, a possible future incarnation of the 'Luke' you are familiar with. You see, different realities and different times exist in parallel with each other; they are never meant to intersect, and therefore, never meant to touch each other. We only know what has 'passed' because the human brain and those modeled after it was given the ability to 'remember'.

However, this world breaks the bonds of reality and time, allowed different instances of the same person to exist at once. For all we know, there could be a 'you' around here that is actually capable of cooking.

[You know he couldn't resist a snide comment in there somewhere.]

[So long as Luke doesn't forget, it's enough to satisfy her. She lets out a sigh of relief and offers him a smile; he's off the hook.]

Yes. That I would be allowed to travel with you so long as my lips remained sealed. You'll be pleased to know I haven't whispered a word to anyone. [No worries, she is determined to keep up her end of the deal.]

By the way... do you have any idea where Colonel Curtiss and the others have run off to, Luke? I'm afraid I'm not at all familiar with this place.

[Ah, she's getting a bit snippy, and Luke's attitude certainly isn't helping. Natalia eyes the human/arrancar hybrid unhappily and slowly shakes her head.] Perhaps I might be able to comprehend it if you would take a few extra moments to explain thoroughly. I do not claim to know everything, but that doesn't mean I'm unwilling to learn.

[Natalia listens more or less respectfully (though she remains somewhat miffed) to the resulting explanation.] In other words, you're saying that you represent just one possible outcome. One possible 'Luke'...? If this is indeed the case, then what of the Score, and what of individuals such as Yulia Jue who were able to see and understand the future?

[A beat as the rest sinks in. Her temper flares noticeably this time.]

Luke! Regardless of these 'different instances', I won't allow you to stand there and insult my cooking. Though I may not be as skilled as the castle chef, I can assure you that my technique has improved greatly since the last time you agreed to sample one of my dishes! [Besides, you're hardly any better at it than she is. So what if hers has somehow inched over the toxicity threshold... /cough.]

[He gives no fucks as to how prissy Natalia is getting with him, and it shows on his face. He merely smirks, letting her finish her tirade, before speaking.]

Yulia and those capable of reading the Seventh Fonon are just as subject to the whims of the universe as the rest of us. Perhaps, even, the Seventh Fonon can be altered as well; one little possibility, no matter how minor it may be, can generate another alternate reality, with alternate individuals.

[He let out a faint noise, shaking his head.]

...it seems that even my status as a replica of the real Luke fon Fabre is subject to universal interpretation. I almost wish I was from one of those realities, where 'Luke' and 'Asch' were not the same person, but alas...

[He paused a moment, considering...]

...though I'm guessing from your haughty attitude and unwillingness to admit that your cooking requires censorship, you have yet to learn that fact. [Smirk.] Spoilers.

Thanks, I guess.

[ Now comes the problem of figuring out how to explain this place. What'd they call it? Dammit, where's Guy when you need him? Luke also sighs, except his more of "why does this crap happen to me" variety. ]

Everybody was somewhere around here. ...at one point. This is some kinda nexis, naxis-- something like that. You're never gonna believe this, but there's a bunch of people here who're also us except they're not always the same. Some aren't even from Auldrant! [ Sorry, Natalia. This is way over his head. ]

[If she didn't know better, Natalia would think Luke completely unaffected. He isn't apologizing or reassuring her at all. For that matter, he's not even getting annoyed or angry with her in quite the way he would normally. Instead, there's that smirk. and that tone Natalia has decided can only be described as condescending.]

[There's no use in getting angry, it seems. It hasn't gotten her anywhere, and she's left to wonder if this Luke even cares. It's a troubling thought, one after another...]

That's not what I mean. If reality is so fragile that it can be easily changed and split from its proper path, then what purpose is there to foresight and prophecies? If the future- if the worlds we know are constantly reshaping and diverging, then we might already be drifting away from the future described in the Score... [She brings a palm to her chin, considering the implications.] No... it might even be possible that the Score itself is no longer accurate.

[What? Just what is Luke...]

[...Trying to say?]

[Natalia takes a step backwards, one hand clasped tightly over her heart. Somehow this miraculous and frightening statement has managed to shut her up entirely.]

[What does he mean by 'a replica'? And how can Luke and Asch possibly be the same person? Luke's right here. And Asch is, well, a stranger in all honesty, although she has to admit there's something familiar about him.]

[And what does he mean 'the real Luke fon Fabre'? Nothing beyond that seems to register. Natalia's lips move but no words come out. Instead she just stares up at him - quite unladylike - as if both pleading for and fearing an answer.]

Don't compare me to that idiot.

[There's certainly a redhead in the direction she's demanding at, but it's certainly not a Luke.

And he's glaring at the insult. For as she would soon learn; he considers being called "Luke" a very bad insult.] Just what's your problem Natalia? Did you confuse us for a moment and actually speak about what you really wanted? Because you're not leaving here any sooner than I am.

[It's nice to see that Luke's capable of initiative and that he's making an effort to both understand and explain matters, but from what Natalia can gather, this situation might quickly become troublesome.]

Ah-! And you didn't notice which direction they took?

[She listens through the rest, mulling over it quietly.] I believe what you mean is a 'nexus', Luke. It is rather hard to accept, I'll admit. However, regardless of the circumstances, rescuing Fon Master Ion and providing aid to Akzeriuth are still our top priorities. We'll just have to come up with some way of returning to the Zao Desert and resuming our mission.

I...! [Natalia blinks suddenly, completely caught off-guard. She was certain Luke had been there only a moment before. Now she finds herself facing down that man. The one who kidnapped Fon Master Ion. The one who bears an eerie resemblance to Luke. She hesitates, and it's only after a moment that she manages to straighten up and regain some of her dignity.]

You're Asch the Bloody, are you not? One of the Six God-Generals who serve the Order of Lorelei.

[Cautiously, because very little of that made any sense to her. Why should he be speaking to her in that way?]

What business do you have with me?

[Asch stares a moment. She's either developed amnesia, or the time thing he'd been told about. He's not pleased about this, and can't keep it to himself since she has no idea where they are. His expression drifts from angry to calm. Only she would ever get something like that.]

That's right. [a beat] I don't have any, I guess. You don't know where you are, do you?

[Luke just remained patiently quiet as Natalia came to several realizations at once, the uncertainty in her soul something that was utterly delicious to behold. He waited for a moment longer, before giving a casual shrug.]

Oh dear, seems I've spoiled more than one aspect of your future for you.

[He's an ass, Natalia. Don't take it too personally.]

[Natalia isn't entirely sure what can be said. She's at least heard of fomicry before and knows that in theory replications of items can be created, but she doesn't know much of how it's applied, nor has she ever considered that the practice may have affected people, or people so close to her. It was outlawed after all.]

[But is that even what he's referring to? Perhaps this is some cruel joke and Luke will take off that silly mask, smile, and apologize; then things will be well again. The pit in her stomach, however, suggests otherwise. She finally finds her voice again but somehow... she doesn't know. She doesn't like this, but no matter how trying and rude he is, no matter how frightening, this person is still her dear friend. After everything they've been through together, she can't simply abandon him now, not when he clearly (in her mind) needs help. She has to try.]

What's happened to you, Luke? You're not like your normal self at all...

[It's a rather drastic change, and one Natalia can't help noticing. It's also impossible to mistake his dislike of Luke. It was clearly present back at the factory as well. Curious.]

[Curiouser still that he has no need of her. Thankfully this admission rules out the possibility of Asch being her kidnapper. Even still, she's not entirely sure she can trust him.]

Oh? That isn't how it sounded to me at all. But in answer to your question, I know that our current location isn't where I was only moments ago.

What do you know of this phenomenon? I believe you mentioned something about being unable to leave.

Mm... no, compared to the buffoon you know, I imagine I must be quite different.

[He paused, running a hand through his hair.]

Although, to accurately answer your question, I'll need to know what the last significant event for you was. I can guess, but I don't wish to assume.

... [Natalia frowns at the remark, her fingernails digging into her palms, but she manages not to make a childish retort.]

The last significant event? That's... We were traveling into the middle of the desert to rescue Fon Master Ion. Apparently the God-Generals had taken him to the Zao Ruins. We suspected it was a trap, but there was simply no helping it.

Oh goodness, you are quite behind... I don't believe it's right of me to reveal too much, considering you have so much ahead of you.

[He paused, considering, before letting out a sigh.]

...suffice to say, that the end result of it all will not work to my advantage.

That's just it. I can't keep track of them all! They're everywhere! You can't shake a stick without hitting one of those short-haired weirdos.

[ Somehow the fact he's insulting himself escapes Luke. ]

[ What Natalia says next, however, does not. Luke's face turns just a few shades shy of matching his coat and he resolutely avoids eye contact. He's heard things - all sorts of things, from Asch of all people - about what might or would happen once they reach Akzeriuth. About what Master Van had planned all along. What he might do... ]

Even if we get back, I... I can't go to Akzeriuth with you. We'll worry about what to do once we get Ion back from them.

[And after he's already doubled the number of questions floating around in her head, too. Natalia considers this. On the one hand, it's good to know that there are a great many things in store for her, and yet on the other...]

[If something happened to Luke, and if there were some way to prevent it, she'd certainly do what she could. After all, he doesn't seem particularly happy.]

Is there nothing that can be done? You said yourself, that there were many possibilities... is there not some way we can change things so you don't have to suffer? [What is this blasphemy, Natalia. It goes against the Score.]

'Short-haired weirdos'...? [Blink.] I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about, Luke, but it won't do to go around insulting people. Not everyone can easily grow their hair out, you know. I'm certain it must be quite troublesome for the working class--

[But her lecture is interrupted when she notices how pale Luke's face has gotten. She reaches a hand towards his shoulder tentatively. What could possibly have him so anxious?] Luke?

What are you saying...? You were the one who agreed to become Kimlasca's goodwill ambassador, remember? I'm sure it's been trying at times, but you can't simply change your mind halfway through your responsibilities. Luke, everyone's counting on you. Besides, you'd be going against the Score.

Suffer?

[Luke raised an eyebrow at her response, looking anything but amused.]

Where exactly did I say I was suffering, Natalia? That's rather presumptuous of you.

[He paused a moment, before shrugging.]

I will admit the road it took me to get to this point was less than pleasant, but I am pleased enough with the end result. There is no need to change my past. Besides, the main issue of my existence is one you can do nothing about anyway.

[Natalia blanches. It's true that Luke never said such a thing, and yet she had assumed. The mask, the way he carries himself, the manner in which he has been almost cruelly joking with her; she took those things to be indications that something was wrong.]

No, I just...

[But that isn't the case, is it? This Luke has endured, and he has conquered she supposes. It's how he is. He may not even need her help at all. Perhaps he's right and she truly is being presumptuous. She glances at a patch of grass to the right of him.]

I'm sorry, I suppose it would all sound rather silly.

Hmph.

[Luke moved toward her, a bit of a smug look on his face. Though it softened once he drew even with her, and for a moment, he almost looked like the real Luke again.]

...when you see an Asch, be kind to him. He's more important to you then you yet realize.

[Natalia manages to hold her ground, although to say she wasn't just a little bit uncomfortable around this Luke would have been a falsehood.]

[Nevertheless, the "advice" takes her a bit by surprise. She did hear what he said before, but the implications of Asch's identity haven't fully registered in her mind yet. She only understands that somehow the two of them share a connection. A replica - it just doesn't make sense. How can Luke be anyone but the person she has known all this time?]

Luke, you should know that I don't go out of my way to treat people cruelly. But do you really believe that man can be trusted? After all... he and his comrades were the ones to kidnap the Fon Master. [She sounds unsure. What to think.]

[Luke ran a hand through his hair, disturbing it for a moment and revealing a lock of pink, standing stark amongst the red, before it was concealed again. He was trying to decide how to best word this without revealing... well, everything.]

Things were done for a reason; when you return, you'll find Ion being returned almost... easy. Out of the Six God Generals, he's the only one that could be your ally.

[There was emphasis put on the "your", and it was clearly deliberate.]

[Returned? Natalia can't imagine why they would return him unless they no longer had need of holding him hostage. Which begs the question as to why the God-Generals keep coming after Fon Master Ion in the first place. Leverage, a power struggle within the Order of Lorelei, or perhaps there's something only Ion is capable of seeing to?]

[Natalia considers this for a moment. Luke didn't say 'our' ally. He said... 'your' ally. Intentional, she assumes, but it explains so very little.]

My ally... [Which means, if nothing else, she should try talking to him the next time they meet. Perhaps Asch can be persuaded to explain his motives.] Yes, I'll be sure to keep that in mind.

Gah, that's not even what I'm talking about! It's not that they have short hair, even if it looks stupid. They claim they're m--

[ Luke abruptly clamps his mouth shut. Damn these time things! He isn't supposed go telling her that either. But... If he did, maybe they could save everyone together. He snatches up Natalia's hand in both his, tightly but still careful to not squeeze too hard. ]

Like I give a damn about the Score! ...'m not saying I'll quit being the ambassador and leave all the work to you guys, but trust me. It's a bad idea for me to go there. I'll figure out some other way to help, okay?

They claim they're what? [She arches her brow in question. Natalia certainly has no idea, and if Luke would take just a few seconds to explain, they might end up on the same page for once.]

[But any impending lecture is cut off as the princess stares speechlessly down at her hand and then back up at Luke in what might be shock.]

Luke, I still don't understand. Why is it such a bad idea for you to enter Akzeriuth? Did Father say something else to you after everyone was dismissed from the throne room? [Did Commandant Grants say something else?]

[She's considering his words. Luke must have some reason for admitting all this, but it will require a change of plans, and the others will need to be informed as well. If the miasma is as thick as the reports say, then perhaps it's best if they try to evacuate the town's residents until something can be done about it...]

[001]

...I'm sorry.

It's okay, bro.

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^^;;;

Natzilla can use it. She can.

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We're all doomed.

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You needn't worry. She'll spare your life, Luke.

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Thank goodness. ...maybe. That depends on if she keeps yelling.

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And that depends on whether Luke behaves himself.

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He always behaves himself! It's everyone else that doesn't.

1/3

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Done. I am sorry for all the non-words.

surewhynot

Indeed, perhaps they should be informed.

yay

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It's okay. I'm sorry for breaking Natalia. XD Would you like an Asch to make up for it?

How will an Asch remedy brain-breakage? XD Not that we aren't fond of them.

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Well... he... er... Okay, probably wouldn't help. XD

^^;

XD

The royal pair would certainly be good for that...

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Everyone, we request that you behave yourselves properly. In short: do whatever Luke says.

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This tag was better the first time but I elbow-slipped-lost-it.

XDD <333

No it really happened. OTL

Aw... XDD

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And Luke said "THANKSGIVING VACATION!!1!" orz

It's all right. My tagging drive is trying to take a vacation w/o me. XD