towerofanimus | Hanging onto the last of me.

Entry tags:

[ou] luke fon fabre

Hanging onto the last of me.

Characters: Luke, Jonouchi [and anyone else from the 2-12 gang]. AND WHOEVER? Seriously, OTA, in all prompts.
Setting: Library of Floor Three in the AM; Room 2-12 around NOON; LEAVING Floor Seventeen/Bloody Handprints and Screams Room... around evening time
Format: I'm accommodating as you all should know by now.
Summary: ~~LUKE FAINTING LIKE A GIRL IN FIRST PROMPT.~~ Luke's been skipping his checkups, so he's forced into yet another. Jou and Luke have a nice chat. /o/
Warnings: Luke will faint. Randomly. In the very first prompt.

[LIBRARY]
It's that day again. The day they'll come to get him for skipping out on another check-up--the one thing he refuses to give into. WHY make it easier on them? It's one trait he's managed to cling to. Somehow, it's been engraved into his mind that, if he can hold onto not giving into that one thing... he can hold onto himself. Whether it's true, or not... Well, that's something he'll find out later.

Sitting in the library has become a norm for him. Even when he's not reading, he still sits there and enjoys a moment of peace. Something to collect his thoughts and attempt to come up with a plan--which he never does. He can't think of one thing to contribute, besides what Asch told him on the first day: "try not to die"

Sounds simple enough, but... Speaking of Asch, he wonders how ~~the grumpy jerk~~ he's doing since the... incident. Sigh. Likely a lot worse than Luke's doing...

[LUKE'S ROOM]
Waking with a start, he blinks. At first, the initial thought of 'will I be unable to move, this time?' manages to cross his mind. Of course, as usual, it's answered with him lifting his hand to his forehead--a dazed look on his face. Sighing, he slowly moves into an upright position. Again, he had passed out. Again, he had awoken in the same stupid bed... in the same stupid place. No surprises, only predictability. This place...

It's starting to get to him, a little. Sighing and scratching the back of his head, he lets out an annoyed sigh, eyes narrowing in frustration. There's got to be something he can do, besides the small retaliation that's likely nothing more than a minor setback in their week. Anything, would be good.

"Damn it..."

[FLOOR SEVENTEEN]
He had decided to take some time to explore, a little. Maybe he's just bored, but he soon finds himself on the Seventeenth Floor. The floor is empty. Blinking, he begins walking further in--then stops. What the hell had happened in here? Blinking, his eyes travel over the hand prints. Is that... blood? He steps closer to one, then freezes at the sudden screaming. His body goes rigid and he looks around. Is this floor haunted, or something?

"Wh-what the hell?!"

Green eyes search the room, but... nothing. Nobody.

With that, he makes a beeline for the door.

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[The blonde didn't spend much time in his own room, but this was on one the days he happened to check in. He wanted to drop off a book he was considering reading, but not at the moment. When he entered the room he saw Luke sitting up on his bed.]

Eh, isn't it kind of late to be waking up at this time?

Edited 2013-09-24 03:27 (UTC)

[The redhead blinked as the door opened, his eyes landing on the blond. To the question, Luke gave a groggy sigh, before offering a weary smile and shaking his head.]

I uh... passed out. [Wait, that sounds terrible.]

Er... I keep refusing to go to the check-ups. [...Not much better, actually.]

It never use to be impossible to skip them. A collar check up boycott went viral on the network at the end of July where a bunch of off skipped ours, it caused the retrieval units to go crazy trying to get all of the tardy people to their check ups. Ever since then whenever we try to skip them now you just knock out.

I see... [His eyes widened a little and he looked genuinely surprised at this. After a couple of seconds, he was tilting his head to side a bit and letting out a soft laugh.]

I guess it's stupid of me to keep fighting it, then, huh? [Furrowing his brow, he looked down.]

If they'll always win, anyway, ...I mean. [He sighed.]

[Jonouchi paused for a moment.

Did Luke just say he would give up? ]

[The blonde clenched his fist before hooking it and punching Luke across the face.]

Don't stop fighting just because you can't win every time!

It's not stupid to keep fighting! It's stupid to give up! Did you forget what you're fighting for! People...friends still have a chance to live here! You have friends to fight for, don't you? [His fist tightened.] What about Anise? And Ion!

How do you think they would feel if they saw you had no hope left in you? If you can't be strong for yourself, at least be strong for your friends!

[Jonouchi's expression softened.]

We'll figure something out. But you can't do that if you give up!

Just like you support them, they'll support you back. Hell, I'll support you. You're my friend too!

Edited 2013-10-08 09:04 (UTC)

[He was about to say 'forget it' and apologize for sounding stupid.

... But that was stopped. Because, his head was snapped to the side from the impact, causing Luke to look stunned for a moment. Eyes widened, he turned to give surprised look to the blond.]

...

[His expression faltered and he put a hand to his face, blinking as he listened to what Jou had to say--yeah, he totally had Luke's full attention. The redhead's brow tensed and he suddenly felt incredibly stupid. Sure, they could come back to life, but...

... that's not the point, is it? The point was being strong for his friends. How the hell had he managed to forget that? Closing his eyes a moment, he looked away--but, only after he was sure Jou was finished talking.

The words, in spite of being kind at the end, still stung. Lowering his hand, he nodded.]

You're right... That was really stupid of me.

[Glancing back at Jou, his face made it pretty clear Jou had made his point. And the Luke had no intentions of arguing.]

Stop beating yourself up over it. [This place sucks, every knew that.] It's easy to get lost here when you're down.

[He moved his hand up and rested it over his heart.]

I have friends back home that I have to help. I have no idea what they're going through or if they're even okay. I can't ask them what's wrong. There's not a single day I don't think about them.

[It hurt. It hurt a lot not knowing how they were and he had a lot of pent up feelings because of it.]

But I have friends here too. They mean just as much to me as the ones back home do, and I can still be there for them.

[He would have given up hope a long time ago if he didn't have them. Ion helped him more than he knew.]

I'll keep fighting for all my friends. Even the ones back home.

[He listens, his eyes lowering to the bed as he does. His mind is forced, once again, towards those he doesn't go a day without thinking about.

Friends back home...

... Guy and Jade, who has yet to even see alternate versions of. And all the friends who were from his Auldrant. And...

... his parents.

... And all the others he cares about.]

[The thing that his mind kept returning to, though, was the part about Anise and Ion...

He could only imagine what the looks on their faces would be at hearing him talk like that. What the hell kind of friend would he be to give up, when there were still things he could be doing to help people. That was selfish. Low.

Real low.

Letting out a sigh, he shook his head and his expression turned serious.]

[He turned his face towards the blond and nodded firmly.]

Thanks...

[With that, he smiled softly.]

Anise and Ion would have been really disappointed to hear me talk like that. Or hurt... Maybe even both.

Even after everything I've done--everything we've done--I shouldn't even be thinking about giving up. Yeah, this place is exhausting... yeah, it's full of death and despair. But it's not just me. And that should be all the more reason to fight even harder. I had already known that, and... I shouldn't have forgotten it.

[His expression softened and he looked at his hands as he says the next part. He figured, by that point, there was nothing wrong with Jou being let in on the next bit of information. It wasn't relevant to this place, anyway.] Even back when I knew I was going to die on Auldrant, I made a promise not to give up. To keep fighting, not just for me, but for everyone. For them and everything we all stood for. It should be the exact same thing, here.

They are... some of the most important people in the world--in any world--to me, and I'd do pretty much anything for them. And I know they'd do the same. I'll do whatever it takes to protect them.

So... [He turns his face back towards Jou.]

Thank you... Jonouchi. [His smile grew into a sheepish grin, scratching at the back of his head.] I definitely needed that wake up call! ...I promise not to forget it, again.

[He didn't break promises to other people, either--not if he could help it.

He let out a laugh, talking in a slightly joking tone--they need to lighten the mood in the room, okay. He rubbed at the red spot on his face and grinned once more, this time matching the tone of the laugh.]

Nice punch, by the way.

[It was sad that some of these people were at the end of their life, or nearing it. He didn't like it, and there was nothing he could do about it at their home, but if they could make this tower habitable for the people who didn't want to leave it should be okay. Right? Not everyone wanted to go home.]

That's what I'm talking about! It's not the end, and we still have time to fix things! For us and for our friends!

[Jonouchi formed a fist again, but not to punch this time. To expression his burning determination!]

If I ever catch you doing that again, I'm going to make you eat dirt! [He was half serious, half joking.

Oh maybe he should have held back? He's stronger than he use to be.]

I guess I forgot my own strength. [A chuckle.] Sorry!

[He smiled, at first. Then he heard the semi-threat. Yeah, he could tell Jonouchi wasn't completely joking. He laughed, though. He definitely didn't plan on giving the blond any reason to punch him.]

Ah... no, it's fine. Like I said...I was stupid. I definitely deserved it, after that. [Lowering his hand, he let out a chuckle, as well. With that, he was moving off of the bed and standing. Stretching, he let out a sigh.]

What now? [It was more a question of in general. What should he start with? He wanted to... somehow make up for his moment of fail.]

Edited 2013-10-08 11:58 (UTC)

Our friends...they always say good things about you. [A smirk.] I can see why.

[He did mean our for Anise and Ion. They were possibly the most important people to him here. If he could take them home with him, he would.]

Huh?

[Jonouchi didn't usually plan for things here. There wasn't much to do.]

Depends on what you're up for!

[Luke blinked and a hint of color appeared on his face. Naturally, he couldn't help but wonder... What kind of things did they say, exactly? Looking downward, he gently scratched at the side of his head.]

They do? [And he can...?]

Oh... uh... [He decided to go with a different idea, for now. He wasn't sure what he wanted to do as far as... that went.

No, he'd simply focus on friends.

... And he couldn't help but consider Jonouchi as, at the very least, a potential friend. He was looking out for two very important people to him. And he was obviously protective of them. So...] ...I've been going to this place that has games. It's really fun, but I haven't actually... gone there with another person. But, I've heard it's more fun when you play against someone. So...

[He idly scratched below the red mark, and turned to look to the side. It was obviously starting to swell, considering it's starting to itch. Giving Jonouchi a sideways glance, he asked in a curious tone.]

Wanna go?

The media floor? [When Jonouchi first came here, he spent majority of his time there. It reminded him a lot of home, but more recently Jonouchi had decided it was more important to grow stronger, physically and mentally. Games would never help him grow, so they were demoted to something of a past time.]

They're the best when you have a friend to play with! Let me show you!

[Jonouchi looped his arm around Luke's shoulders, quickly welcoming the redhead. The blonde was a rather clingy friend after all.

He had never really taken the elevator before, and since dying in the elevator shaft, he never would now. That left the two to take that looooooooong walk down stairs. More time to talk?]

What do you usually play?

[Coming from a world pretty much without games, they're definitely something welcoming. After all, ...Luke pretty much spent his entire time on Auldrant doing nothing but get stronger.

The arm around his shoulders made him blink, but he didn't fight against it, instead letting himself be led to the stairs.

...Fortunately, Jonouchi wouldn't hear any complaints on not taking the elevator. Luke wasn't too fond of it. It wasn't like on his world, where the elevator was open. No, that elevator trapped you inside. And the tower was already creepy enough, as it was.]

Well there's the one that reminds me of the one I got to play back home, called Dragon Buster. You basically go through a dungeon and fight to get to the end?

[He put a hand to his chin as he walked, mentioning how he'd always wanted to try a certain game--from Luke's description, Jonouchi should be able to gather that it's some sort of racing game.

Coming from a world without cars makes describing cars difficult...]

Did you want to play something like that or are you looking to try something new? The tower has a pretty decent collection for not having much to do.

[Jonouchi was actually looking forward to this.]

[He's just passing by, but the sound of screams draws his attention and he dashes over - foolishly, really, as he has no way of dealing with a situation - to investigate.]

Are you all right in here?

[He blinks at the fact that someone is standing at the door as he comes out. Pausing after taking a few good steps from the door, he turns and gives the stranger a fairly nervous expression.]

Uh... well...

[He forces his expression to relax, before scratching the back of his head.]

Did you... happen to hear a woman scream, just now? [He is looking in the room, as though half-expecting to see said woman come running out of the room, any second.

That was definitely one of the top five creepiest moments in this tower, for him.]

... n... o, I didn't...

[He looks over Luke's shoulder, as though somehow that will grant him access into the room.]

Did something happen?

A-ah... Well, I went in there, and...

[It sounds unbelievable even before it's coming out.]

There were bloody hand prints, so... Well, I got closer to them to inspect. Next thing I knew there was a woman screaming. It sounded like she was right there... But I didn't see anyone.

[A slightly nervous laugh escapes.] I know it's just the Tower messing with me, but still...

[He listens intently, taking in what Luke says. There's no hint of disbelief... why would he not believe it?

It sounds fascinating, though...]

A phantom, perhaps...
[He glances at the door himself, curiously.]
It may bear investigation...

[He watches the stranger, then looks back into the room.]

... You think so? I mean... I guess it could be looked into, more.

[He actually is curious to know, but there's no way he'd do it alone.]

[He gestures toward the doorway.]

There's no harm in looking. We may discover something, or we may not. There's no way to know unless we go...

... though you are free to wait, if you are still unsettled.

[He shakes his head.]

It's fine, it just freaked me out a little, at first. I don't mind going with you.

All right, then onward! To terror, or to better understanding. Or perhaps both!

[And off he goes, walking with purpose back through the door and into the room. At first glance, it seems rather perfunctory... bright red handprints on the wall, and a silence thick and heavy...

then something screams right next to him and he jumps, looking around quickly as though he might be able to see what startled him.]

[Eyes widened as the scream happened directly next to the guy. Leaning away from the invisible source (which makes it look as though he's leaning away from the guy, actually), he immediately turns around.

... No... there's definitely nothing visible in this room, aside from the hand prints...

Nothing.

And that's actually really unnerving, even knowing that it's the tower's doing.]

U-uh... any... ideas?

[For a moment words escape as his heart feels like it's in his throat. It takes a moment for him to be able to speak, and a few breaths to attempt to still himself. All the while he's looking, to see if there's anything there...

but there's not. Just the redhead who accompanied him, and the bloody wall.

And silence once more.]

... now I understand why you left with such alacrity...

I would have said some sort of phantasm, but there's nothing here... though I was certain that whoever was right beside me... did you see anything?

[Luke shook his head at the question.]

Nothing. I saw... nothing. [He's frowning in disbelief, somewhat, before letting out a soft sigh.]

So I guess it really is just a trick by the tower...

[He's still for a moment or two to let his heart slow. There doesn't seem to be anything else... for the moment.]

It seems that way... but it's certainly effective! I wonder if it's timed, or if it's random?

[Luke hadn't thought about that. If it's timed, then that means that it's definitely not a ghost...]

That's a good question... [He scratches the side of his face a moment.]

Maybe we should try to find out! [Suddenly, he's not all that afraid now. Investigation mode is go.]

[He can't help but grin at Luke's sudden enthusiasm. He hasn't really had anyone interested his chosen sort of poking at things before.]

I wonder if it's based on how long one has entered, or perhaps proximity to the handprints... there's quite a few possibilities for triggers, here. What did you say you were doing when you heard the scream?

[He crosses his arms behind his head, tilting it to the side.]

Hm... maybe. I was looking more closely at the bloody handprints when I heard the scream the first time. I had moved closer, then... y...eah.

Ah... so was I. It seems the handprints are the drawing feature of the room... at least the blood grabs the attention of one's senses the fastest. Perhaps it has to do with proximity to the wall...

[The library really was the best place to sit and relax, and the abundance of books helped to distract from the stress of the tower. But, there's someone else on this floor, and he doesn't seem to be in high spirits.]

Excuse me sir, I'm sorry for troubling you, but is everything okay?

[From across the room, you look very distressed.]

[... Crap. Luke really had not intended for someone to notice him.

He attempts to look just fine--of course, his expression turns somewhat guilty. He doesn't want to lie, more than he doesn't want her to know that he's not okay. A sigh escapes and he shakes her head, lips twitching into a faint smile.]

It's no trouble, but... I just have a couple of things on my mind, is all.

[He scratches at the side of his head, his expression softening. She seems very nice, so he doesn't actually mind the company, at all. Also, she didn't call him "Asch". And she didn't seem to recognize him. So... it's nice to meet someone who isn't confusing him for someone else.]

Oh, and my name's Luke.

Would you like to talk about it?

[Mia's a very good listener. :3]

I'm Mia. It's a pleasure to meet you.

It's nice to meet you, as well; and...

I uh... [He paused and let out a sigh.] I skipped the collar check up. ...Again. [He mumbled that part.]

Oh dear, is everything going okay?

[Collar checkups seemed really serious and doing anything that might irritate the mods seemed dangerous.]

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Hanging onto the last of me.

PARTY AT 2-12!

WHOOP WHOOP! ...Where are the chicks. Not a party without the babes, dude.

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1/?

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DONE!

1/2

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1/3

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1/3 .../diagnosed with diabetes--and copies you, because... ugh. Luke.

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17

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Library! :D

Yay, Luke gets to startle a poor unsuspecting woman. |'D

Sorry about the late backtag OTL

It's completely fine. <3

<3