Well, this certainly isn't the ending he had been expecting...

[desireforchange]

Characters: Luke fon Fabre and anyone else.
Setting: Dorm room (2-12), then where ever!
Format: I'll start with prose, but will match.
Summary: He's waking up and kind of freaking out a bit? Eh, he'll calm down, eventually.
Warnings: None that I can think of!

[DORM]

Waking up is painful, actually. When the redhead finally manages to gain control over the movement of his body, he instantly realizes not only that he is nowhere he has ever even heard of, but just how creepy and twisted this place seems.

Could this place be the afterlife?

That thought has Luke sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at the floor with a mixed expression of relief (in knowing that he had succeeded in freeing Lorelei), and even a bit of confusion. He has no memory of ending up here. He has no clue how it could have happened. Then he finds the letters. Well, one looks more like an actual letter. The other, similar to a list of... rules, perhaps. He hasn’t actually read any of it, yet, as his focus is on the first. Someone seeing him would immediately be able to tell that he is in a state of shock.

This has to be a nightmare. This isn’t really happening. Those two sentences are the first to enter his mind. The next, however, actually has him on the verge of throwing up. Everyone... Everyone cannot be... His mind freezes, drawing a blank, for a moment. It seems his mind refuses to so much as think the next word, for now. When it finally regains the ability to think, one particular thought is standing out in the back of his mind, "All of that... we did... all of that..."

Luke continues the words audibly, "... for... nothing?"

His hands begins trembling as everyone's faces slowly begin creeping their way into his mind. One face, in particular, causes his breath to hitch in his throat. The stinging of his eyes slowly results in a hint of tears breaching the lower lids, "Tear...too?"

Clenching his teeth, his expression tenses. He slowly moves to his feet. No. This is all a lie. This is simply too cruel. His breathing escalates just a bit as his hands tighten into fists, before he moves the right one to one side of his head. Mere seconds tick by, before he breaks into the silence, "It's... a lie..."

A soft laugh escapes his throat, at how pitiful and foreign his own voice sounds. He looks to be completely unable to grasp the situation, as his eyes are now completely widened. His left hand quickly moves to the other side of his head. Both hands tighten into fists, clenching his short red locks firmly. He drops to his knees, panting. Luke barely recognizes his own voice as it suddenly cries out, "It has to be!"


[WHERE EVER]


He finds himself, hours later, wandering the hallways sort of aimlessly. Luke had been very glad to find his clothes in that trunk, along with several other fairly useful things. There is still confusion resting on his face, though it is now mixed with something else. Luke seems sort of lost at the moment. Pausing in front of a window, he stares out at the fog. This place... What the hell is this place? Is he really stuck here, without a choice? This can't seriously be happening, right? The questions are asked without much drive behind them. Luke's expression softens, and he is looking down at the floor with a fairly sad expression filling his face.

Everyone... Could they all really be gone?

"Tear... Everyone... I'm sorry."

Apologizing only seems fitting. He knows this is completely out of his hands, but he also feels he must apologize at how things have turned out. If their world is truly gone, he is sorry that he could not do anything to stop it. If his friends and family are truly dead, then he is sorry that there is nothing he could have done to save them. No matter how it works out, he is simply sorry for it. The thing that is truly sinking into his mind, though, is that... he may never see any of them ever again. Ignoring the sick feeling in his stomach, he begins walking.

Comments

'sup roomie

[savedbyasong]

"It's not." The soft voice comes from a white haired boy sat on the other bed surrounded by papers. He had remained silent while the red haired boy who looked like Asch and Luke read the notes.

"But we are working on fixing it."

yo, sup?

[desireforchange]

He is immediately snapped from thought, green eyes snapping to that particular corner. Luke looks fairly distraught for a moment, before his expression relaxes. Not a lie? It feels almost as though those words are prodding at his chest, making it difficult to breath. He is stronger than this, though, right? Right?

He focuses on the last sentence while he stands. Though his voice sounds unsure, he is very genuinely eager for the words to be explained, "Working on it?"

While he waits for the answer, he is sitting back down on his bed, looking down at himself. What the hell kind of outfit is this? He tugs lightly at it, as though in slight protest of it.

[savedbyasong]

Shion untangled himself from the papers and moved over to his new roommate to nod reassuringly and go over to his trunk. "Your things should be in here."

"There are a lot of us here, and we are doing our best to find a way out here, to restore the worlds and free our souls." As part of the team working on the latter Shion didn't quite want to tell him that they had made no progress as of yet. They'd only been working on the liquid for a week though.

[Let's wherever us a staircase]

[bloodyashes]

Here a redhead, there a redhead.

Asch is mostly distracted by the book he's looking through as he walks, only glancing up enough to make sure that he doesn't run into anyone or fall off the stairway. He's an old hand at this by now; it's early enough in the day that there's not too much danger in being distracted. Luke might not recognize him immediately, either - the lack of a tabard changes hi silhouette utterly, and there's a difference in posture that, ironically enough, speaks of him being more relaxed than Luke has probably ever seen him.

That all goes away when he hears the quiet apology, though. Asch recognizes the voice, can't not recognize the voice, and it instinctively gets his hackles up. He growls "Stop apologizing already," before it occurs to him consciously that the Luke who's been in the Tower a few months doesn't apologize for jack shit.

Then he looks up, finally, and swears under his breath. "Not another one."

[ Sounds good to me ]

[desireforchange]

The replica indeed doesn't notice his original. Heck, it's not like he's really looking for him. In spite of his roommate mentioning that Asch is here, the thought is simply too far-fetched to seem remotely plausible. Luke hears the voice, however; and, he is slowly looking up.

No way...

His eyes are planted on Asch as though the original is a ghost. In a strange way, it is sort of the same concept. The green eyes remain widened for a moment, before having to be lowered to the floor. This place is horrible enough without having to see Asch, again, after that.

"So it was true... You really are here," Luke sounds rather disheartened during that statement of the obvious.

He clenches his teeth looking fairly angry, all of a sudden. It's nothing personal against Asch; instead, his anger is stemming from the idea of being trapped in a tower that can do things like this. He just wants a definite answer to a few simple questions, but there is no one that could possibly answer him. Not to mention, the ones that have brought everyone here seem to be making themselves scarce.

So, put simply, Luke has a lot of feelings to sort through.

[bloodyashes]

There's immediate annoyance in his posture, a default around Luke anyway, but especially right now. Hell, but he forgot, in months of dealing with nothing but Lukes who never arrived at Akzeriuth, how incredibly annoyingly downcast his replica got afterwards.

"If you have something to say, say it." Get your spine back, is what he wants to say, when he sees that downward, angry expression, but Asch reminds himself that he doesn't care and folds the book under his arm. He makes a rather pointed noise of irritation instead. "Whatever you're thinking of asking, we might as well get it over with. I'm one of the most honest sources of information you're going to find."

And the sooner he gets done, the sooner he can wash his hands of Luke and leave him to survive or struggle on his own. It's sink or swim and he doesn't care which of them them applies to his replica.

Hallways Somewhere >>;;;

[melodyoftheabyss]

Someone walks by overhearing what he says, her eyes fixes on him in confusion and utter surprise, but that expression only lasts for a moment before it changes back into her usual expression.

"Luke?"

There's another Luke and somehow it doesn't surprise her as much. After hearing what Asch has to say about the multiple existences of a single person from different time periods to different alternate worlds, she can't remain too surprise. At least, judging form his current hairstyle, maybe he's around the same time as she is, or maybe further. She doesn't know but it's better to speak than not at all.

"Is that really you?"

Works for me~

[desireforchange]

That voice. Luke's eyes widen as he continues looking down for a moment, almost afraid that maybe he had just been hearing things. He does, however, slowly manage to force his eyes towards the source of the voice.

... She's here. She's really here. He doesn't even care that it's not the same Tear from his Auldrant. He doesn't say anything, at first. He's fighting too hard with the desire to grab her, pull her in, just... feel that she's really right there. He'd been so afraid that he would never see her again, that her actually being here in front of him.... it's almost overwhelming. He finally finds his voice, yet it sounds like he's somewhere between a state of shock and overjoyed.

"Tear..."

His eyes mist over and he quickly blinks the possibility of tears away, looking away from the young woman, "Sorry, I just... didn't think you'd be here. But you are," he says while he looks back at her with a weak smile, another hint of tears managing to surface. In spite of being happy to see her, the thought that she's in a place like this is torture as well. He'd never wish something like this on someone. A large part of him would rather be lonely, than have any of his friends here. Especially Tear...

Hehehehe

[melodyoftheabyss]

Tear looks at him with a rather concerned look on her face. She does know why he is surprised, but it isn't that surprising. She wondered what he was going through and what happened before he came to this place. She's honestly glad to see him and it's been a month since she has seen him. He doesn't look like he changed much at all.

He can hug her if he wants to. She's not going to stop him, but it will make her feel a bit awkward but she'll manage considering it's Luke and she's rather used to his hugs every now and then.

She can pick up his emotions through his eyes and the way he was easily exposing himself to her. She walks up to him, giving him a relieved, and somewhat gentle smile, "It's alright. I've had the same revelations when I first came to this place."

Tear is content that she found him. She's glad that he's here and safe. He's not injured or anything either, so it makes her feel better.

Floor 38;

[keybearer]

[Free from monsters, pitfalls, and danger, floor 38 offers a wide open view of the horizon. For a tower packed with death traps, the relative peace this floor offers sticks out. Couches and comfort? Hah. All the times Riku's visited this floor could never change the jarring atmosphere.

But hey, it's quiet and offers the perfect space to reflect. And up until Luke's arrival, it's been all but deserted.

So, naturally, Riku spots him straight away, turning away from the wide, glass walls and raising an eyebrow.]

You looking for something?

[This guy looks vaguely familiar, aside from the short hair. Has he met him before? For now, he'll hold that thought until later.]

[desireforchange]

[Luke blinks at the sudden voice, his eyes snapping towards the stranger's face. He pauses a moment, before answering the question.]

Ah... I was just seeing if any of my friends were in here.

[And, of course they're not. Big surprise, there. This Tower has given him nothing but bad news, since he arrived. He pushes the bitter thought away, and sighs.]

I'm starting to doubt they're even in this Tower. I know there's Asch, but you can't exactly... count him as... [His voice drifts and he swallows hard, before skipping to the next part as though simply using it to get off the topic of Asch (in spite of being the one to bring him up).]

And, there's apparently another me, around here, somewhere.

[Let's go with 'somewhere in the lower-numbered floors']

[ambassadorasshat]

Let's have us some more redheads up in here. As if Luke hasn't had enough shocks for the day.

This one's just come from the cafeteria, evident by the drink in one hand and partially eaten corndog in the other, and is heading up the stairs. It's not entirely unusual for him to see another version of himself, but he still pauses in his trek upstairs.

"You came back." He doesn't sound disappointed, but not especially happy, either. After a few seconds, he adds, "What'd you do to your hair?"

Not that his hair is that much better-looking. It's pulled into a high ponytail--most of it, anyway, as the two sections that normally hang down in front of his shoulders are still loose.

[Sounds perfect!]

[desireforchange]

So that must be the other Luke everyone's been going on about... And, he's a long-haired version of himself.

The short-haired replica blinks up the stairs at... himself, and is surprised that he's not quite as shocked as he thought he'd be. Maybe it's because he'd heard about this other him from several different sources, already. Either way, though, it feels weird to be looking at a younger him. Really weird.

"Ah... no, actually. I'm not who you're thinking I am. Sorry...," he pauses a moment, realizing he's not actually sure how to address the other him, "Asch told me about there being a Luke that left."

2-12

[invisible_friendship]

[Jonouchi didn't normally frequent the dorms this time of the day, but he was exhausted. He woke up early these days so he could train down in the gymnasium to maintain a physical state where he would feel less helpless. Everyone was so much stronger than he was. Today he was there for a couple hours, his exhaustion warranted a nap.

Just as the blonde opened the door to his dorm he saw a familiar face.] Luke? [He cut his hair?] Did you switch dorm rooms?

ROOMIE

[desireforchange]

[He blinked at the door suddenly opening, his face tensing at the sudden questions. Jeez, did the other him know everyone in this place...?

He shook his head at the question, offering the stranger a faint smile.]

No, it's not quite like that. This is my first day here. [He paused a moment.] I'm guessing you're one of my roommates.

Around floor 32

[hardedge]

[InuYasha just came off of the 32 floor. He was hungry and in need of food that wasn't from the cafeteria so he hunted his own. As he waltzed out he caught Luke's scent nearby. As much as he didn't want to, he best check up on the guy. It's not like he had anything better to do. then be tsundere.

It took all of a couple seconds for InuYasha to catch up with him. He was then caught by surprise.]

The hell'd you do to your hair?

Excellent.

[desireforchange]

[He'd had time to adjust just a bit. Everything had started to become a little less of a shock, actually. Meeting another you... and someone you had seen die, is a great way to desensitize a person. It still didn't prevent a bit of shock at the random person catching up to him.

He blinked as the random person quickly ran up to him. And when he was asked the same question he'd been asked several times, already. And, again, when his eyes landed on the ears. It took him a second to pull his eyes towards the face and he sighed. He had to resist the obvious answer, here, of "I cut it" since... well... that was kind of obvious, right?]

I like it better this way. [He looked to the side, then gave the stranger a sideways glance.] I guess I should mention that I'm probably not the same Luke you're thinking of. I just got here, today.

Can we pretend I'm not a million years late? ;u; Also how's floor 4?

[fragileprophet]

Resting in a tucked-away corner of the glass-walled lounge with his eyes closed and his head in his hands, Ion didn't initially notice when a familiar face shuffled so dejectedly into the floor. It wasn't until the sad tones of Luke's voice reached his ears that he opened his eyes and snapped his attention immediately in the direction of the redhead.

He was on his feet before he really processed the action of standing. One of his closest friends being audibly upset was not something Ion cared to ignore. Especially when he noticed the rather obvious difference in hairstyle from the Luke that was already in the Tower. Could this be...his Luke?

Of course, that wasn't a very good question to ask. So, instead, the green haired boy just made his way quickly over.

"Luke," he started, trying to think of the best words to approach the situation. If this was a new Luke, after all (and he suspected it was), going about explaining the Tower and everything it meant for them was never an easy task. His face turns into one of genuine concern as he finally chooses to finish with, "what are you sorry for?"

Yes, we can. <3 Sounds good! [also sorry ahead of time for sad Luke]

[desireforchange]

That voice. Luke froze, eyes immediately moving upward and immediately landing on a painfully familiar green-haired kid. He was not Sync, nor did his voice sound like Florian's. Luke's thoughts were, quite immediately, a shocked, "No way... he really is here."

It actually hurt to see him. In fact, it even hurt a little more than seeing Asch. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that they are both replicas. Ion had been one of his friend back on Auldrant, before he...

Swallowing hard, Luke focused on answering the question, urging his mind away from the intrusive thoughts. As he spoke in a soft tone, he attempted (but failed) to smile, "Ah... well..."

Well, that didn't come out the way he had wanted it to. He had attempted to sound fine. Instead, he had sounded like someone speaking at a funeral. The redhead exhaled and shook his head, "Sorry, ...Ion. I just..."

Again, he couldn't finish his sentence. Shifting his stance, he stared at the floor. He couldn't even look at him, considering it... was kind of bringing forth a lump to his throat.

Lounge - one of them idc

[alae]

Dark Pit comes to the lounges sometimes, just to look at the sky. It's a pain, knowing that he can't fly and he can't get out there, but there's something about the sky that just calls to him.

... But today when he steps into the lounge, he sees a familiar shade of red hair. It's not Asch, so -

"What's going on, Lu -"

Wait. He stares for a moment. "... Different hair."

Yoooou!

[desireforchange]

It is starting to get just a little old, being called by his name; then, watching the person turn around to point out his hair. Somehow, he finds himself sympathizing with Asch. But, that's beside the point, right now. What's important is...

This guy's got wings, "Uh... yeah, I cut it... a while back, actually."

He sounds distracted, as he attempts not to stare at them (even though the guy did technically just stare at him). Are they ...real?

And ...is it okay to ask about them? No, no, what if the guy gets insulted. Knowing the longer-haired version of himself, this guy's already been asked by that him.

rolls in two weeks late with starbucks - dorm halls okay?

[forhislegacy]

Luke!

[You know this voice, Luke. It's the voice of a pigtailed Fon Master Guardian, and she's saying your name in exactly the tone of voice that means she'll be throwing her arms around you and twirling you around in about two seconds, unless you happen to step out of the way first.]

I missed you! ❤ Did you miss me?

gimme starbucks and you've gotta deal

[desireforchange]

[Have a hard blink, Anise, before you up and man-handle the poor guy. The redhead quickly regains his composure and is putting his hands on the puppeteer's shoulders to look at her. The stunned expression quickly shifts to a relieved one.]

Anise... [He pulls her in for a real non-twirly hug. Does that answer you question, Anise? After a brush with death, this is all he can think to do.]

I was worried you all had... [Not going to actually say it, but she should get the idea. He releases her and scratches the side of his head, looking away.]

Sorry, it's... been a really ... long and confusing day. [He lets out a laugh, in spite of it being nothing more than a cover for how stressed and sad he is.]

Let's say floor 14?

[seekinganswers]

Hey...

[Sheba had been trying to figure out how to make a CD player work, but she's easily distracted by Luke. It's odd - he's not the Luke that was here before, not the Luke that is still here now, so she's not really sure how to approach him, but seeing as she never really got on badly with the other Lukes, she wouldn't feel right just leaving him alone.

Her voice and expression are sympathetic.]

You're new, right? [He looks the way she did when she first arrived and was convinced that she'd doomed her world.] Are you going to be alright? This is all a lot to take in.

\o/

[desireforchange]

[The redhead blinks at the voice, glancing up at the stranger immediately. His expression could imply that he is most definitely not okay--not right this second, at least. Offering a weak smile, he nods to her.]

I'll be fine; but, yeah... today's my first day, here.

[He doesn't know her, so he's definitely not going to burden her. Now that the initial shock has worn off, he's managed to gain enough mental strength to hold off on crying. The redhead speaks in a weary tone.]

I'm Luke.