And happiness is -

[bloodyashes]

Characters: Asch and Luke/open/open/Orihime
Setting: Luke's room, first morning of the event; the Graveyard, that afternoon; the music floor, the 16th, 17th, and 18th; the kitchens, the 19th
Format: AH WHATEVER MAN
Summary: An overjoyed creeper finds something he thought was lost; later, he visits the graveyard and finds something else unusual. Afterwards, piano playing and tea parties.
Warnings: ... Creepers gonna cuddle. Sorry Luke.

Luke's room -

[There was something against the edge of his mind, the feeling of an extension of himself in a way that he hadn't felt in... Just over a year now, wasn't it?

Asch is throwing himself out of bed in an instant, ignoring his coat and weapons; he doesn't even take the time to pull his shoes on properly, laces dragging behind him as he rushes up the stairs to that old, familiar room. The bed had been filled again at one point, some stranger that Asch couldn't bear to even look at, but that person was gone now, so maybe...

The name on the door is the same. He throws it open, looking to the corner for the familiar mess of red hair - ]

...You're here. You're really here.

[The joy on his face is utterly unrestrained as he makes his way to his replica's bedside, stumbling over his shoelaces and not giving a damn.]

Graveyard -

[That morning had been... strange, to say the least, so he'd felt the need to make sure, to be positive that this wasn't all some dream or Tower trick. He'd taken the time to go back to his room and get properly dressed before making this trip, but he had to be sure.

He's stood in this spot a hundred times, knelt and rubbed his fingers across the engraved letters so often they'd begun to show wear from his constant attention. But now, the headstone is blank -

What a strange sight he must be, falling to his knees in front of a nameless grave.]

[On his way out, he pauses in front of a familiar stone lion, running his hand across the carved mane. It had started out for him as a place to do honor to those no one else would mourn, but over the years, it had come to symbolize to him everyone left behind on Auldrant. He never passes it without taking a moment - ]

Flowers?

[Dried and crumpled, as though left for days, but these are... They're the flowers he left, the first time he came here, four years ago. They should have long since turned to dust.]

How the hell...?

Music room -

[The sounds of a piano being played fills the floor - not the usual faint playing of the instruments doing it themselves, but an actual player seated on the bench. The melody that flows out from Asch's fingers is far more joyful than his usual playing; he feels like he hasn't stopped smiling in days, and there's no point in trying.

Luke is here. Even if it's by some strangeness of the Tower - he has absolutely no complaints. The reverse of complaints, really; he's a bit tempted to send a present to whichever admin was responsible for giving him Luke back.

A violin adds itself to his playing. He doesn't even twitch, just sighs faintly and continues to play. Some things, apparently, were still business as usual.]

Kitchen -

[He's spent most of the morning making cookies - even after four years, Orihime hasn't lost her taste for making foods strangely, so it's probably better if he just takes care of it. It's their unbroken habit; one of the few things he used to measure the time, right after Luke had disappeared.

Asch smiles and puts the water on to boil. Some part of him knows that this won't last - the Tower's strangeness never does - but he's not going to let that stop him from enjoying what time there is. Seeing Luke again leaves him with a wholesome, optimistic feeling that he can't regret.

A tray of cookies on the table, and more on the counter; he sits down to wait.]

Comments

[seekinganswers]

Do you have any idea of what I might mean by "ascended," though...?

[In other words, had he suspected what might happen before it had happened? That was one bit of information she'd never searched for in his mind.]

I can explain, but I might not get it all right. For me, it's been ten years since it happened.

[bloodyashes]

[Any idea? The only thing he can think of...]

Just explain what you can. I can probably piece together the rest.

[seekinganswers]

It started after you and Luke had been here for a really long time... you started acting alike, dressing alike, even thinking alike. And that was a little odd.

The two of you have always had a connection as long as I've known you, but that was something a little... well, different.

And then ten years ago, you... changed. [She looked a little frustrated with herself for not being able to explain it better.] You weren't human anymore, but you were still around... just, as... [She gestured a little uselessly, then shook her head.] I'm sorry. I can't remember what you called it - I'm just really glad to see you looking like yourself again. It's a relief.

[bloodyashes]

[It's a little disconcerting to hear - he loves being connected to Luke, wouldn't trade that connection for anything. It's saved his life in so many different ways...

The idea of being practically indistinguishable from Luke... It's frightening and comforting, all at the same time. They're two halves of a whole, after all.]

I... guess I understand that, at least.

[Not human? ...But then again, if Luke was involved as well, perhaps he can guess what it is. Although that's taking "scion of Lorelei" a bit more literally than he would have expected...]

[seekinganswers]

It was really frightening when it was happening... I was worried.

[She sighed again, then looked out at the graves around them. Perhaps this was an odd conversation to be having in a graveyard... oh, well.]

But that didn't happen for a really long time, and if you know about it now, it may be possible for you and Luke to prevent it somehow.

[There was a pause, and then she chuckled.]

I was able to tell the two of you apart, but... [She smiled wryly and tapped the side of her head.] You know the reason for that. Still, no matter what does end up happening, I can say with absolute certainty that you'll always have friends here, even thirty years down the line for you. And Luke will be there by your side, too.

You won't be alone.

ugh short tag, cannot brain it

[bloodyashes]

Best way to prepare for a problem is to prevent it.

[He's nodding, and at her last words, he smiles.]

You're right. Thanks to you guys... I'll never be alone again.

it's okay I'm feeling super unmotivated so I'll be short too OTL

[seekinganswers]

That's right!

It's really good to see you smiling again. [She giggles quietly and flashes him a grin.] You have a really good smile, you know!

You better keep smiling now that Luke's back or I'm gonna be mad.

AND WE HAVE A WINNER

[bloodyashes]

Sheba - !

[Someone's as good at taking compliments as ever, clearly. And as for Luke -

Well, he knows she knows the kinds of side trips he'll be taking these next few days.]

You're unbelievable as always!

MUAHAHAHAHA

[seekinganswers]

Hee hee!

And you haven't changed a bit! It's good to see that some things will always stay the same.

[bloodyashes]

The only way that would ever change would be if you stopped teasing.

[Grumble grumble... At least it's just Sheba, not someone who's going to try and find him a girlfriend. Rise. Jade. Anise.]

[seekinganswers]

Sorry! That won't be happening anytime soon.

[She flashed him a grin.]

You're just too fun to tease, Asch! I can't help myself.

[bloodyashes]

Well, at least I know you won't be moving on to more interesting targets any time soon. Gotta take it easy on the newbies somehow.

[seekinganswers]

Heh! They wouldn't be able to handle me! [She smiled at him again.]

But just wait 'til they get used to this place... then they're fair game!

[bloodyashes]

Sheba the Terror strikes again.

[Yep, that's definitely what they would have called her in Daath.]

[seekinganswers]

I think I could get used to a title like that!

[She grinned, and after a moment, that grin softened into a small smile.]

Really, though, I am happy that you can smile again. It means things are looking up.

[bloodyashes]

Yeah, well...

[Is that a blush? Naw.]

He's my light. I'm always kind of lost without him around.

[seekinganswers]

[Aww! How cute! Sheba really did have to restrain herself from "d'awww"ing right there.]

Now that you've found him again, don't let him go! But I don't have to tell you that, right?

[bloodyashes]

You don't, but he's making himself difficult to grab onto as usual.

[Other half plz.]

[seekinganswers]

Is he? Well... he may be a little more difficult than he normally is because of all... this. [She gestured at Asch, then at herself.] I remember more than you; you remember less than me. The Administrators are likely up to something, but if we keep our wits about us they probably won't be able to blindside us too badly.

[bloodyashes]

He only remembers up to about the time we got here.

[He chuckles.]

I think I might've come on a little too strong for him earlier.

[seekinganswers]

I guess if he doesn't remember anything other than just after you arrived, it would catch him by surprise. You weren't the friendliest person in the Tower then by any means.

[Not to mention all the other things that had been between the two of them before they arrived at the Tower...]

He'll get used to it, though!

[bloodyashes]

...You can just come out and say it, you know. Past me was an idiot.

[He hmphs slightly. Kind of a dickwad, too.]

Luke'll deal with it somehow. He's resilient that way.

[seekinganswers]

[She shrugged.] You were always nice to me. Nicer than some people I've met.

He is, that's true! [And then another wry smile...] How could he be anything else, though? He's related to you. [Kind of.]

[bloodyashes]

Honestly, it was in part because you didn't mistake me for Luke first.

[Things that are still kind of annoying? That. He doesn't care nearly as much now, but still...]

And truth be told, I think he's more resilient than I am. This incarnation, at least.

[The one who'd never been broken by Akzeriuth... Score, but it'd been a long time since he thought about the Luke he left behind on Auldrant.]

[seekinganswers]

[She chuckled at that, and tapped the side of her head.]

Well, it helped that I could cheat.

...you think so? You both seem very resilient to me. It's one of the few things I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between you in.