[First Proclamation] Restrict wine consumption.

[bloodreign]

[Tap, tap, tap. That's the sound of gloved fingers drumming on the stone surface before him.]

[Asch had known better, yet for some reason he'd ignored his gut instinct. There must have been something in that wine - drugs, poison, maybe even extracts from those damned Great Rugnican death caps. Whatever the case, he's clearly hallucinating. He was in the throne room just seconds earlier, and now... this! No, he should have just declined attendance, no matter how much of a slight it would have been! But of course, even as Asch runs these things over in his mind, he knows it doesn't matter and he couldn't have skipped the banquet anyhow. Not with the way things have been lately.]

[He isn't sure why he's here, can't determine what's wrong, and it's absolutely vexing. His head's perfectly clear, he's not running a fever - he can walk in a straight line. Well, whatever - there's no use in standing around mulling over impossibilities. At least a dozen guests are waiting for him, and if he doesn't show up where he's supposed to be very soon, Asch can name a few people who are going to be very upset. The thought of that kills any soothing effect being outside might've otherwise had on him.]

This has got to be the most pathetic...

[The most pathetic thing. How does anyone lose a castle?]

Comments

[bloodreign]

...Not surprising. Seventh fonons came into being because of an aberration, after all. It would take a while for the bonds holding them together to solidify enough to stop them from breaking down again. [This is, surprisingly perhaps, just guesswork. He doesn't know. See, actually, the part he doesn't remember are the months he spent living anonymously. Most of what he's said about himself is thanks to the accounts of a couple bumbling idiots.]

What? [It's strange to see Luke get so bent out of shape about this. He thought he wouldn't have to deal with it anymore, but here's a Luke getting all red in the face about whether or not Asch is feeling well.] You don't honestly expect me to start answering to you? Nevermind how pathetic it is for you to tell me not to worry when you're the one trying to play nurse.

And unless you're suddenly changing your tune about this place, I highly doubt my "health" is the main obstacle preventing my return to Baticul.

[fononfailure]

Really? [ Luke's eyes widen at this revelation. That would explain so many things- why they both had memory trouble to start with, why her symptoms got better over time with Asch's help, and why she now did okay on her own after moving the Jewel away from their home. Diving across Asch to grab one of the notebooks, she fishes a pencil from a drawer and starts writing hastily. Though her elation is short-lived. Once the pencil stills, Luke stares down at the paper. ]

I wonder if that's one of the reasons so many replicas don't live long...

[ Ngh. Such a pointless subject to dwell on when with any luck, no more replicas would be made. When Luke looks up a pout is fixed firmly on her face. What would it take for Asch to understand that she just wants him to remain healthy and enjoy his damn life? Even having said it flat out he didn't get it! ]

Yeah, but the thing is, you're lost and I'm not. I'm entitled to worry about somebody who's far away from home. More so when that someone is notorious for being a stubborn ass who doesn't put themself first. You can't back to Baticul if you keel over!

[bloodreign]

[He makes a slight shrugging gesture.] It's a theory.

[Pfkdjfkjdkfjd!!! Asch sinks further back into the chair as he attempts to ward off this sudden (though brief) invasion. It was only a theory! It wasn't as if he'd said anything of dire importance! Or had he?] They probably don't live long because they have no concept of personal space! [He scowls.] If you wanted your notes back, all you had to do was ask; it's not like I need them any longer.

[Asch pushes his bangs out of his face, muttering something about idiots who always get in the way.] ...Maybe. I don't know. Seventh fonons are unpredictable as it is, and fomicry was never meant to be used on living beings. There are thousands of genes in the human body. A single glitch could undo everything.

[...] So just because I'm lost you think I'm incapable of looking after myself? Or maybe you'd rather I put myself before everyone else in the kingdom.

[fononfailure]

Stop acting like I tried to bite you, sheesh! [ Whether Asch had inadvertently struck upon an vital piece of information isn't something Luke can tell on her own. She would have to find Jade or Asch or even, ugh, Dist and ask one of them. For all she knew, this could be part of fomicry basics. Luke takes a wary glance at Asch's expression. They (her and other Asches, at least) had never discussed fomicry in depth. She doesn't know when the conversation might start bothering him. ] ...what I don't get is why anyone would continue replicating creatures or people when the science behind it is unreliable. It just doesn't seem worth the risk.

[ Hauling herself back onto the couch, she sets the paperwork aside and clasps her arms around her knees again. ] Only if you've got your mind fixated on something or someone to the extent that everything else comes second to your goals. Which is part of the reason I don't doubt your ability as a ruler. ...and why I wish you would for now. Natalia will look after Kimlasca while you're gone. If time is even passing there. It might not be. The important thing is for you to make it back to them.

[ Though really, she doesn't want him to go. ]

1/2

[bloodreign]

I wouldn't have to if you'd stay put! How am I to be sure your worrying tendencies aren't contagious? [But with the return to the fomicry topic, Asch's expression begins to darken again. He inhales slowly.]

...Like anything else. People continue modifying their plans until they get them to work, until they get the results they want. Continued attempts eventually yield patterns and with those, an increase in reliability. Any small success would only encourage them to keep trying for a better and better product.

Someone managed to create a perfect replica. There's bound to come a day when others ignore the ban on human fomicry and attempt to use another specimen to duplicate those results.

[Asch regards the other redhead out of the corner of one eye, half-expecting another uncomfortable topic to be spouted out. After a moment's silence (what's he supposed to respond with? part of it, at least, is the truth) he opens his mouth as if to say something of importance.]

2/2

[bloodreign]

[Then hesitates.]

[And says the first random thing that comes to mind.] ...Did you know, your posture is terrible.

1/2

[fononfailure]

You can't get infected with something you already have! Who knows. You might learn to express yourself better! [ Why is she even dignifying that question with an answer. Though the reason is probably obvious: it doesn't hurt like the subject of replication. "Product," huh...? Watching Asch causes a pang of guilt to claw at her insides. Time is supposed to lessen emotional pain, so why... Why are they both still suffering? ]

Not perfect. But I think I get what you mean. People who think replicas or the research on them will net some kind of benefit might not care about the ban or who they hurt. [ Luke lets her head rest against both knees, voice muffled by the fabric. ] Sometimes I think should try going home to help keep that from happening, to get rid of Van and Jade's research, but all of the remaining replicas might be helped by that same information. It wouldn't be fair to them.

[ The quiet that follows isn't wholly awkward. If anything Luke seems to have settled down enough to not force unnecessary conversation and she waits politely for Asch to sort out what he wants to say. ]

[fononfailure]

[ ... ]

[ For several long moments Luke doesn't stir nor acknowledge that Asch had spoken. Slowly she drops her hands and looks up, eyebrows knitted together. ]

What?

[ Seriously. That's it? Of all the things he could come up with, he's griping about her posture? She can't tell if he's the worst at changing subjects or if it's an honest opinion he felt needed to be shared. ]

[bloodreign]

[Asch responds with a "humph" and a slight rolling of the eyes. Worried? Him? At least he isn't holding Luke's hand and getting up in his face and asking whether or not he feels sick.] ...I politely decline. [As far as he's concerned, he can express himself just fine - it's only he doesn't want to. Why show everyone that weakness?]

No, not perfect, but good enough. [He makes no indication about whether that was meant as a compliment or not. He's too busy straining his ears in an attempt to catch the rest of Luke's garbled monologue. "Sometimes I think...grblegrble...rid of Van and Jade's research...grblgrbl...helped by...grble...wouldn't..."]

Even if you tried, you'd never succeed. Jade has published books, Luke. You'd have to search every house on Auldrant, and even then there could be copies of his or Van's research stored away somewhere. Moreover, there are people like Spinoza who've dedicated their lives to scientific research; they wouldn't need written documentation. It would be a pointless endeavor.

[And that would be the former. Asch's attention drifts to the edge of the room, a contemplative look on his face, before he shakes his head.] Nothing.

[fononfailure]

[ Good thing Asch didn't try to deny that he does worry; Luke was prepped and ready to bombard him with another patented Replica Motivational Speech. Because while it's true Asch hadn't fretted over her (and she considers that a great help in keeping things from getting weirder), she can tell his concern for Kimlasca and undoubtedly Natalia is as strong as it has always been. ]

[ The remark warrants a bewildered stare from her, followed by soft smile. 'Good enough' would be high praise as an insult from Asch let alone a compliment. Luke picks up her pencil to start playing with it absently. ] Searching everybody's house can't be more difficult than redirecting the world's fate. ...I guess you're right about all the scientists, though. Making a whole city of researchers disappear is a kind of much. [ She lets out a light, sharp laugh and shakes her head. ]

Really? Sometimes you don't make one bit of sense. If you want to say something, you should spit it out. Won't do you any good to keep it bottled up.

[ If Asch's gaze wanders towards the stairs, he might notice a mop of short red hair slowly edging around the hallway upstairs until a pair of bright green eyes can peer down at them through the banisters, one mouthy blue cheagle clutched in his arms. ]

[bloodreign]

[He's NOT worried! B|!!! It can stay just like this so long as Luke doesn't try and say Asch is worried. Then there'll be words. Lots of them.]

Yes it can; you'd need a warrant for that. Not only would you alienate everyone whose houses you searched, you'd probably start a public protest. No one likes to have their business or their homes snooped around in. [(...) Like earlier. When Luke freaked out at him for opening up the connection. While Asch still isn't about to apologize, he has the decency to sort of incline his head (barely). Whatever that means.]

[The smile and the laugh only seem to make him grumpier, though.] What are you talking about? I make plenty of sense. If you don't understand, that's hardly my problem. Besides, some things are better left alone. Saying them won't make a bit of difference.

[Or may only serve to complicate things in this case.]

[Asch hasn't yet spotted the spy-in-training, but he's starting to get that all-too-familiar inkling that usually means something's wrong or something unforeseen is about to happen. Like he's walking into a trap.] ...Feel that?

[No one's going to try to assassinate him outside his own realm of sanity are they? You'd think being "somewhere else" would have at least a few benefits.]

[fononfailure]

[ Would "concerned" be a more acceptable word? As Asch himself said, it's as if he wants to get back to Auldrant for those stuffy head-up-their-ass councilman types. Not that Luke sees anything wrong with worrying about your loved ones. Hell, considering the apparent political turmoil, Asch would have to be crazy to not worry. ]

[ Luke picks up her cup and takes a sip of coffee without tasting it, giving the back her head a scratch. A warrant, huh? Oh boy. ]

...Obviously you did your adventuring a little different than us. [ Kind of a given seeing as how her first act in a new town was filching an apple. Then they borrowed stuff without asking (most of the time), mugged an altar boy, and there was Jade threatening to put the kibosh on Din's business operations. Among other little misdemeanors. ]

Still, it might help-

[ The unease Asch's voice cuts her lecture short. She doesn't notice anything out of the ordinary, but Asch is a trained soldier; if anyone were going to notice irregularities, it'd be him. Unfolding her legs, Luke glances over one shoulder to take a discreet look upstairs, but the two have already ducked back out of sight. ]

...? No? Are you sure you don't need a drink? Maybe you're dehydrated...

[bloodreign]

["Cautious" would be acceptable. Possibly. "Distrusting", "vigilant", or maybe it's just instinct taking over.]

[Impatiently.] That's got nothing to do with it! When you're the one stuck listening to two civilians squabble over property, you start thinking differently about things like warrants. And it cuts down on time. Otherwise you'd have to explain the situation to every single person you come across or fight them.

[Asch sits up a little straighter, trying to feel out that inkling, but it has seriously diminished between the time he first noticed it and the time he opened his mouth. Just his imagination? No.]

[No... ...?]

[Asch rises to his feet, waving one hand dismissively.] A drink's the last thing I need. We're being watched.

[Or...they were. Did the culprit already escape?]

[fononfailure]

[ Some might call that "paranoid." Luke calls it "Asch being Asch." ]

[ There's one thing this discussion has done: it's reassured Luke that she never, ever wants to be saddled with the responsibilities of office. Way too many complications and convoluted laws for her liking. She honestly has to wonder how Asch manages to deal with the petty arguments. Would it be unlawful to knock a couple idiots' heads together? Probably. ]

If you're trying to play mediator, then I can understand. That's why you're the king and I'm not. Obvious complications aside. But taking a book is a bit different. All you'd have to do is make sure nobody spots you.

[ Luke quirks an eyebrow at his sudden alertness, then twists around to have a look behind the couch. Nope, nothing there either. After a moment she follows Asch's lead and stands, glancing about the room. The windows were locked shut as was the door. So what set him on edge? He wouldn't get riled up over birds or a squirrel, right? ]

Who'd be listening in on a conversation like this? We're not exchanging super secret notes or anything. And how? Between the two of us there's no way anyone could have snuck in.

[bloodreign]

[By walking out once things devolve into idiots being pathetically and intolerably stupid. He's been scolded for that more times than he cares to count.]

We both know that isn't why. [Oh. Right. This Luke really doesn't know. Asch sighs in exasperation. Nevermind, just nevermind. He's tired of thinking like a king anyway. He wouldn't mind knocking a few heads together or giving his sword arm something to do, but he's supposed to be avoiding any unnecessary violence. Well, the lecture was much longer, but that's what it all boils down to.]

Right. Keep talking that way and people will think you're a grade A delinquent.

[Asch still doesn't look entirely convinced.] ...I don't know, but sneaking in isn't that difficult! [Seriously, what was Asch just saying about stealing all those books?] A back door, a window, a large enough vent. Hell, if someone wanted to, they could come straight through the ceiling.

[fononfailure]

[ Luke's expression is puzzled when her eyes fall back to Asch, yet she doesn't question what he means. Whatever reason Asch might have for his selection as ruler is pushed to the back of her mind at his explanation on how a burglar (or worse) could get in. Even his remark on her criminal status fails to get a rise. ]

Well, when we've all got to be good at something.

[ It's a more absentminded reply than Luke usually gives; she's already started edging around the furniture towards the stairs, going over possible entrance points in her mind. All the upstairs windows were closed since it'd been too cold. The fireplace was an option, but that'd make a lot of noise, wouldn't it? At the bottom step Luke pauses to listen for a moment. ]

[ Silence. That's all she hears. Nervous and more than a touch anxious, she can't help snapping back. ] There's no vents. And the house is too sturdy for someone to just pry off the roof. All the trees are well out of reach, too, so climbing in isn't viable. Nobody's getting in this place without me knowing! [ She hopes. ]

[bloodreign]

...? [Given the response, Asch concludes the other redhead is barely even listening to him. He offers no further information, and instead scans the room (okay, maybe he is a little paranoid) once more. It seems fairly secure, but there may be something he's overlooked.]

[The prospect of it all being in his head and him having dragged Luke into it is not a happy one. In fact, it'd be a huge embarrassment, so when the replica snaps at him, it earns a defensive and irritated glare. He's not wrong, got it? There's no way he'd make this up!]

[...Otherwise the next few minutes are going to be excruciatingly painful. To his pride.] People don't need trees to climb, and they don't go around prying off entire roofs! That's what rope and tools are for.

[He pushes his bangs back flat and considers further alternatives.] What about a basement? You were out on the porch before, someone could've easily slipped in another doorway.

[fononfailure]

I didn't mean the whole damn roof! Unless someone gigantic or a monster, they wouldn't need more than small hole to drop through.

[ Which makes Asch's scenario more plausible, and that in turn ramps Luke's overactive imagination up threefold. What if Van or the other God-Generals had been deposited here without her knowing and they had cooked up some idiotic scheme to try replicating this world as well? Or if they wanted to make sure no one could interfere? If it was Dist alone then he might be interested in the replica angle. Luke rests an arm on her sword's hilt, hand tapping against her leg. This is silly. She might not be trained to spot danger, but she's hardly the uninformed civilian from years ago nor is she completely ignorant of her surroundings. ]

N-no, no basement. We've only got a cellar food storage, but the entrance to that is outside and it doesn't go anywhere. There is a door in the kitchen though...

[ But it should have been locked as well. Luke barely waits a moment before spinning around to face Asch. ] How about this- you check down here while I look upstairs. That way we're certain nobody'll be able to sneak by without us knowing.

[bloodreign]

[Asch doesn't look too thrilled with the plan.]

[Fleetingly, the possibility that Luke might in fact be conspiring with someone crosses his mind. As unlikely as it is, he can't rule it out entirely. He doesn't know this Luke. And there's still that missing puzzle piece, as well. Perhaps the only reason Luke's acting nervous is because he's so close to being found out.]

[But then, maybe whoever-it-is is actually looking for Luke. Do people bother matching whichever Asch or Luke they're trying to track down, or is there no discrimination?]

[Finally Asch nods. He draws his blade (Maestro Sword it is not), eyes flicking towards the kitchen.]

Kh... Fine. We'll split up.

[fononfailure]

[ Admittedly, Luke hadn't expected agreement from Asch without some protest and it takes her brain a moment to catch up. The one time she's ready for an argument... Maybe Asch would never cease to surprise her. ]

Okay. I might be a couple minutes since there's a bunch of rooms upstairs. We used to have others staying with us some years back, but they've all gone. [ Her voice drops at the latter part of her statement, as does her gaze. Though it doesn't last long. There's more important matters to worry about. She brushes the melancholy off with a shrug and with hand on her sword -though not drawn- darts upstairs, taking them two at a time. Midway up she pauses to lean over the rail and flap a hand at Asch. ]

If you find somebody, try not to get too much blood on the floor.

[ With that she rounds the corner, but almost immediately there's a couple light thumps like someone bumping into the wall, followed by hushed whispers and some hissed orders from Luke. ]

[bloodreign]

[Asch grunts - the only indication that he was listening - and turns as if to walk into the kitchen, but once he's gotten a brief glimpse inside, he's sure no one is here. It looks as tidy as can be expected in Luke's house. Moreover, there's no signs of anyone having tried to break in. Nothing suspicious.]

[Besides, if something had been on the main floor all along, surely they'd have noticed sooner. Which leaves...upstairs. That and Asch is (for lack of a more appropriate word) interested in whatever's up there. The question is, can he climb the staircase without Luke or anything else noticing, and if so, what will the consequences be? Is Luke going to freak out at him? What's up there? Is what he heard and whatever-it-is one in the same? He can't have sensed the cheagle...]

[As silently as possible, Asch stalks back through the sitting room to peer up from the bottom of the stairs. He can always make up some excuse about the racket or how long it'd take for Luke to search all those rooms by himself. It's not as if Luke told him he wasn't allowed up there when he finished searching the kitchen. It's not like he needs a warrant. It's not as if he really cares.]

[He places one foot on the bottom step and begins climbing.]

[fononfailure]

[ Asch has little need to worry about being discovered, as the conversation doesn't abate even when he nears the top. While only Luke's coattails can be spotted on the landing, there's several voices: one being the cheagle's, another Luke's, and a possible third too soft to understand. The main indication of another person is Luke fielding questions and asking her own in turn - not something she could do with her ring-less pet. Her voice is low in what Asch is bound to recognize as a deliberate attempt at discretion, yet probably more gentle than he's ever heard his replica be. ]

It'll only be for a bit longer, okay?

[ The unknown individual pipes up, mentioning Asch by name and making Luke shift onto her knees so her coat inches forward. ]

I.. I'm not sure that's a good idea... -yes, I know. But he isn't.

[ A longer silence this time while Luke wrestles with her conflicting emotions. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to let him sit somewhere out of the way, where Asch couldn't see him, so he could listen and watch. But far as she can tell, Asch's "intruder" was only Aidan growing tired of waiting for the grown-ups to stop their chatter. She had to be certain he'd be safe and that she couldn't guarantee. What remains of Luke's coat disappears around the corner as she draws the three-year-old into a hug. ]

No. Not this time. You can choose tonight's dinner, how about that? Sound fair?

[bloodreign]

[Asch leaves the staircase behind, making his way towards the doorway Luke's coattails just disappeared through. He does his best to make no sound, to blend in with the shadows on the wall, but one can only do so much in overrated, overstarched royal garb with an ornamental sword in hand. Still, he's got a few years of "hard to move around in" uniform special ops training on his side which allows him to minimize the hisses of the fabric - at least by a fraction. All he needs is to get close enough to hear the conversation clearly. Maybe close enough to get a brief look inside...]

[With great caution, Asch places himself near to the opposite angle of the corner wall, sword arm hanging loosely beside him. The way Luke's talking, Asch gets the distinct impression that the unknown third party is hardly dangerous - or at least, the idiot doesn't perceive them as such. It's a tone you'd take with a loved one - an ill parent or a small child.]

[The redhead starts a little at what sounds like his name. So they know he's here already? No, it doesn't seem like it. He can't have been detected yet. Just that he's already in the house. Asch continues to stand where he is, now that he's within eavesdropping distance.]

['This time?' 'Dinner?' Hmmmn...]

[fononfailure]

[ Asch's first glimpse of the room should help put his fears to rest, though possibly at the cost of his sanity. Or at least his trust in Luke's mental stability. Why? Cheagles everywhere. Luke was not kidding when she said the majority of their homemade projects were upstairs. Dozen upon dozens of the plush creatures - a whole rainbow of them - decorate the room, with most congregating on the bed just in view. One could make a game out of trying to spot Mieu were it not for a hand petting his head.

The hand can't possibly be Luke's as she isn't visible from Asch's vantage point, being blocked by the door. Also because it's much too small. His guess of a child is further reinforced by the last voice: a very young one. ]

Uh uh. I wanna see Dad!

We've been over this. That's not Dad.

Is too! [ Ah, the joys of children. How are you supposed to get a kid to understand that the person who looks like their father isn't really? That's one question Luke has struggled with from the get-go. She lets out a sigh in defeat and stands to ruffle Aidan's hair, another trait he shares with Asch in addition to a stubborn attitude. ]

...tell you what. Let me talk to him by myself a little longer, and then maybe, maybe you can come down to say hello. No promises, though. He might not... feel up to it. So you and Mieu play up here for a bit, okay?

[ Not that she has any intention of letting a newcomer near her son, but sometimes a little white lie is necessary to keep the peace. And it works: he thanks Luke with a hug around the knees then scoops up the cheagle, socked feet padding towards the door near which Asch is hiding. If he isn't fast enough, the pint-sized redhead is going to barrel right into him. ]

[bloodreign]

[Yeah...Asch's opinion of cheagledom and cheagle fandom are pretty much shot by this point. It's more colorful in there than Nam Cobanda Isle, and all the faces and ears and plush bodies have a disorienting effect. It's hard to separate one fluffy mound from another, but he does notice the small hand petting a blue specimen which must be Luke's pet. What could drive the replica to craft these things so excessively? This person...?]

[It's funny, though.]

[Funny how a single, completely innocent word can have such a chilling effect. 'Dad'? So the one Luke's been hiding all along is...the other Asch's child...?]

[...]

[Asch inches back slightly so he's no longer peeking into the room.]

[It makes sense now, why Luke had pretended that no one else was in the house, but it's still his kid! ...Sort of. Not entirely. Just how much variance is there anyway...? Between a child in one place and a child in another? Luke's still recognizable, if different. And Asch himself exists in both places, maybe more. So then...?]

[It's a little too much for Asch to grasp; frankly, it's overwhelming. But more than that, where's Asch? The other one! Shouldn't he be here?!]

[No, of course he wouldn't be here... He'd find something to busy himself with, maybe even make excuses. Just like his own father. Demanding, rigid, never around, distant...only capable of caring in his absense as if through a protective barrier. This is exactly why he should've never been allowed to...]

[Light footsteps. Someone's coming. Asch should be ducking away right now, finding some place to hide or making for the stairs, but between his own mixed emotions and the noise inside his head, his limbs react slowly and he finds it difficult to even move from the spot.]