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

Entry tags:

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

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.

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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.

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.

At first, he is not even paying attention to Asch's reaction. He is caught up in his own thoughts, for the time being. The redhead folds his arms across his chest, almost as though defending against a non-existent chill. Too many things have begun to plague his mind but, upon hearing the other's voice, his attention snaps back to reality. Most honest sources, huh? Asch always has been, though.

"Is it true there's another me? That this place can take people from different," he pauses as though trying to find the correct word, "realms?"

Even that word doesn't seem quite right. His tone is serious as he avoids looking up, at first. After the question is out, however, he does manage to allow his gaze to move to the other's face. Wait, is it just Luke, or...

Does Asch seem taller, somehow?

That kind of happens when you're older and you get your last growth spurt late, Luke. Don't worry, even with tower shenanigans you're still older than the other Luke.

Asch's expression of vague disdain isn't too different from before, at least, but it's perhaps more pointed - if it was a broadsword before, now it's a rapier. "Technically, they only 'save' one person from each world, so yes. The other you is from a slightly different Auldrant where we were actual twins." There's a bit of a growl in his voice that says that he doesn't like that very much.

Luke couldn't have hidden that look of surprised, if he had actually tried to. As the expression molds into one of confusion, the short-haired redhead seemed to be mulling over the words in his head. So, basically, everything he thinks he knows is completely out the window. This place is doing everything possible to mess with them, isn't it? To make things as hard as possible to take in? That thought has that twinge of anger returning. No way is he going to just voluntarily be a part of some game. He'll find a way to fight this. Of course, his roommate did talk about everyone fighting it. Luke makes a note to ask Shion about it, later.

"Actual twins?"

Luke is not unhappy about that fact, it just feels a bit weird. Though, that would actually be better. Asch would have never had to feel replaced, if that had been the case...maybe.

"How long have you been here, exactly?"

It actually takes him a moment to do the math - he's getting so used to this calendar that it's hard to switch back to Auldrant's. "A little less than five months - nine of theirs, since they're shorter." He can practically guess the next question that's going to come out of Luke, so might as well get that over with too.

"I've been here the longest out of anyone from Auldrant. Tear, Natalia, your Ion, and Anise are also here. So is the original Ion." The double Fon Masters have ceased to be interesting, at least for him. "I think I saw another Ion replica around, but it isn't Sync."

Edited (shit miscounted) 2013-09-10 02:08 (UTC)

He listens to the amount of time. This spawns another question in the back of his mind, but... Asch is already answering it. He blinks at the first name. Tear's here, then? A mixed expression of relief and disappointment is resting on his face. Then... wait, did he just say there are two Ions? No. Three? The only Ion replica he can think of, other than Sync, is...

He pauses for a moment, "Maybe it's Florian, then..."

Luke lets out a sigh. There are too many things to take in, to react to every single one. Yet, his mind is trying to. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, before looking back at Asch.

"So... there are really that many different Auldrants?"

His mind continues to drift back to Tear. He wonders what kind of Auldrant she comes from. He wants to ask, but a part of him doubts that Asch would even bother keeping up with every single person's length of stay here. After all, Asch had to do the math on his own.

"Is it true that people are trying to... stop all of this?"

"And more. Guy, Jade, another you, and two more of Tear were here in the past." There's only one of those that he's bothered to hope will return, but there's not much hope for it anyway.

The other question, though, gets a different reaction - something in his stance shifts, and for a moment Asch looks something like his old self, in control and prideful to a fault.

"Of course we are." There's not a hesitation in including himself in that we. "Those of us who haven't been scared into submission, at least."

Luke's expression falls a bit, his face not making it entirely known what he's thinking about. Really, he's thinking about the three names. So, Guy's come and gone, basically. The two of Tear thing is... kind of strange to think about. It's already weird having so many of him having gone through this place. And it's strange enough with there being so many green-haired replicas. Adding Tears to that, as well...

He listens to the next part, slowly giving a sideways glance to Asch. Luke watches him, in silence. It's kind of nice to see him returning, even if momentarily, to his old self. It gives Luke a twinge of confidence; and, maybe even a little hope.

"What can I do to help?"

He turns to Asch, his expression completely serious. Luke wants to stop this just as much as the next person. The replica simply needs to be shown where to start.

He's not even surprised, really - this is Luke who was practically begging to get himself killed at the Tower of Rem, and even the obnoxious versions just wanted to help people, most of the time.

It doesn't mean that he wants Luke's help, but better to have him on board than not. That won't protect Luke from his original's usual harsh criticism, though.

"Do you even know what's going on? At least get information before you go volunteering yourself."

Not that that's ever stopped him from charging in before.

Luke blinks at the criticism, before folding his arms across his chest. Asch makes a point, there. How much does he know? He thinks it over for a moment, as though attempting to sort through everything he had heard, so far, today. All he can come up with, is this place is terrible and he needs to stop it.

"There are four administrators. One can bring people to the Tower, and only brings one person from each world. We're each brought here under the disguise of being saved, when really this is just some sick game, for them. That's all I need to know, to want to stop them."

He frowns, "I don't care what I have to do, to help stop end this. I'm not gonna sit here for years, doing nothing. Damn it, I didn't save Auldrant to end up in some place where I have to hear it got destroyed, and..."

He tenses and looks away from Asch, "I get it, okay? I know I need to stay strong. I just," he sighs and shakes his head with an exasperated smile, "never mind."

No, he doesn't realize he made the slip-up about Auldrant, either.

Edited 2013-09-11 03:07 (UTC)

"Zo's the one you least need to worry about. Unlike the others, he actually means well." Asch reaches up and runs his hand - his left hand - through his hair, pushing it back almost absently. "Ruana and Jason are the ones you have to worry about. Ruana is the game-player; Jason is the scientist." He hopes he doesn't have to explain his particular distaste for Jason's kind of scientist. The result of his previous encounters with unethical science is standing right in front of him, after all.

He starts to lower his hand to his side, but pauses at his neck, adjusting his collar to unconsciously show a scar that isn't there. His eyes are hard. "You say you'll do anything? Don't talk about it so easily. I've already died for this."

It's not that he doubts that Luke is willing to put his life into this. His replica has already done the same before. Asch just doesn't want him going into it blind - he refuses to take fault for it, refuses to leave him without all of the facts.

"The dead don't remain dead, here. They put you in a new body and you're back the next morning. If you're not willing to face that, then don't start."

Luke listens quietly, his eyes planted on Asch as he takes in each word. Hearing of Asch's second time dying (well, second in Luke's mind), he tenses a bit. Then, he looks confused; that is, until Asch explains it. The dead don't stay dead...

He looks down at the floor, a very serious expression planted there, now. In the back of Luke's mind, there is a small voice reminding him that he might be disappearing, soon, anyway. He had been close to disappearing even before releasing Lorelei. So, why not do something useful in what could be his final days? Would the same rules apply to him, if he disappears? Or will he simply continue disappearing, over and over again? He quickly forces that thought away, and a soft smile breaks. He realizes something.

"It's not dying that I'm afraid of."

Dying without a reason, without doing everything to protect his friends... That is his fear. He will willingly offer his life, as many times as necessary, if it means that everyone can be closer to getting out of here. His voice is soft, as though he doesn't really want Asch to hear it, in spite of it being perfectly audible enough.

"Besides, it's not like me not helping will prevent me from dying, anytime soon," he then speaks plenty loud enough for Asch to hear, "Just tell me where I need to start."

Luckily for Luke, Asch doesn't think too long about that little comment on dying. It's dismissed not important, because hell, it's only a matter of time before something here kills you off. It doesn't occur to him that most Tower newbies don't have that attitude.

"Right now, we're waiting on a group that's researching the collar fluid - " He taps the violet places on his neck for emphasis. "Everything else, as far as I know, is 'wait and stand ready.'" Which he doesn't particularly like, with the timer ticking down, but what else can you do?

"For you - explore. Talk to people. Try not to die."

The short-haired replica's lips twist into a gentle smile. Try not to die? It occurs to Luke that Asch had not quite caught the meaning of his words, earlier. It gives Luke to opportunity to reconsider telling him. After a couple of seconds, he decides to leave it alone. There's no point in making that known, right now. Nodding, Luke speaks in a softened tone.

"Got it. I'll look around, then."

He glances to the side, staring at a spot on the wall, as though it is suddenly very interesting. It actually bothers him not warning the other, and he really isn't entirely sure why. It's not like Asch would tell him anything like that, right? He sighs, scratching the side of his head. If he plans on helping them, though, it probably would be useful to give a heads up that he could just... vanish, any second. Damn it...

"Actually," he starts while looking down at the floor, "Asch... my fonons were about to separate just before I came here."

Maybe he wants to hear that it could still be fine. His biggest concern, though, is the fact that people can't die here. Would getting a new body fix it? So, would dying once actually help his case? Too many scenarios and thoughts are flooding his mind, at once. Maybe that's the real reason he wanted Asch to know. Maybe it was that... telling a slightly more level-headed person could do some good.

There's a pause, and then Asch seems to close up in his posture, although his right arm stays pretty much where it is since he can barely lift it.

"It was happening to me when I got here - it's actually a part of the glamour system. The framework that is your actual body isn't affected." He can remember the pain, though - and he can only imagine that it's worse for a replica who is made of nothing but fonons.

"It stopped a few months in. I'm not sure why, but it wasn't long after I died the first time - " Actually the first and second times, because that week sucked. " - so that might have had something to do with it."

Luke's expression fell completely. A few months in, huh? The redhead then frowned. Maybe he's right, then. Maybe dying can stop the process, after all. He sighs, nods, then is looking up at Asch. He offers another weak smile, "Well... that's strangely comforting, at least."

He attempts to laugh at the horrible joke, but it's definitely a no-go. The laugh is caught in his throat, before suddenly dropping. He's got to shake this, before he loses his mind, or something.

"How'd ...you deal with it?"

Edited 2013-09-13 02:02 (UTC)

"I dealt with it." It's a stupid way of saying it, but the truest. "The whole place is counting down, and there's no point on dwelling on it even if we had the time."

Also, if Asch stopped moving, he's pretty sure Sheba or Narukami or someone would come wallop some sense into him. The thought brings ht efaintest hint of a smile to his face before he remembers that Luke is there and he's supposed to be grumpy.

"You're lucky enough to already have people you can rely on," he says instead of explaining. "I suggest you use them."

Luke actually gets it, loud and clear. He nods, before noticing the ghost of a smile, which... is kind of weird to see. So he'll pretend he didn't, to save ~~Asch from possible embarrassment at being seen and~~ himself from getting glared at.

Speaking of weird things, Asch had somehow managed to... cheer him up. He smiles, looking to the side.

"You're right... I will," he lets out a soft 'heh', "Thanks, Asch."

Don't worry, Luke, the cheering up was entirely coincidental. Asch ignores the thanks with his usual amount of grump. He hmphs and turns to walk off.

"Keep your wits about you and I doubt you'll screw it up too badly." That's damn near a vote of confidence by Asch standards.

The redhead lets a soft 'heh' escape, before nodding. It wouldn't be Asch, without all the anger (and pretending he doesn't care... thing). He is a little surprised by the words, though. Asch just said he doubts Luke will screw up too badly?

"Got it."

He'll just leave it alone, since anything else would have Asch tossing glares, or something. Luke's learned him, a bit, after all.

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

[ Sounds good to me ]

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