[replica model] • LUKE FON FABRE (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
fabrecation) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
vatheon2012-05-30 09:21 pm
fabrecation) wrote in vatheon2012-05-30 09:21 pm
Entry tags:
But who do you ask, when no one really knows
Who: Luke and whoever would like to find him
Where: The Plaza
When: Midday
Style: Whichever you prefer!
Status: Wide open
[It wasn't the fact that Luke was soaking wet that set off alarm bells in his head. That was expected, seeing how he was set to show up in the middle of a spring.
What made him go rigid and stare ahead of himself with wide eyes were his surroundings. There wasn't water around him like he expected, and this certainly wasn't some little grove. There were buildings, an entire city of them, and the water was above him, held back by some kind of dome.
He scrambles up to his knees with an arm in front of his face, as if he were expecting the water to just cave in right then and there.]
Uh... Tear, are you sure this is the right...
[He trails off when he looks to the side and sees no one. Well, not the person he's looking for. He slowly lowers his arm as he looks further back, then twists to look to his other side, and - still, there was no sign of Tear. At that point, Luke stands and takes a few steps back, as if hoping that will help him in his search.]
Tear? Tear! Mieu, are you around here?!
[Nothing. Not even an annoying "mieu". He runs his hand over the back of his hair and swallows to combat that nervous wad rising in his chest, and he takes another step back -
And he steps on something that's clearly raised a little higher than the ground. He turns with a frown on his face and lifts his foot, giving the starfish-shaped device a quick glance.]
What's this thing... A piece of fontech? Weird...
[And he nudges it away as he moves to the side, trying to find some help. Tear has to be around here somewhere; the Yulia Path couldn't have just flung him somewhere else entirely... right?]
Where: The Plaza
When: Midday
Style: Whichever you prefer!
Status: Wide open
[It wasn't the fact that Luke was soaking wet that set off alarm bells in his head. That was expected, seeing how he was set to show up in the middle of a spring.
What made him go rigid and stare ahead of himself with wide eyes were his surroundings. There wasn't water around him like he expected, and this certainly wasn't some little grove. There were buildings, an entire city of them, and the water was above him, held back by some kind of dome.
He scrambles up to his knees with an arm in front of his face, as if he were expecting the water to just cave in right then and there.]
Uh... Tear, are you sure this is the right...
[He trails off when he looks to the side and sees no one. Well, not the person he's looking for. He slowly lowers his arm as he looks further back, then twists to look to his other side, and - still, there was no sign of Tear. At that point, Luke stands and takes a few steps back, as if hoping that will help him in his search.]
Tear? Tear! Mieu, are you around here?!
[Nothing. Not even an annoying "mieu". He runs his hand over the back of his hair and swallows to combat that nervous wad rising in his chest, and he takes another step back -
And he steps on something that's clearly raised a little higher than the ground. He turns with a frown on his face and lifts his foot, giving the starfish-shaped device a quick glance.]
What's this thing... A piece of fontech? Weird...
[And he nudges it away as he moves to the side, trying to find some help. Tear has to be around here somewhere; the Yulia Path couldn't have just flung him somewhere else entirely... right?]
[Action]
Hmm.
Blue eyes soften. Seeing Luke this quiet, this... lost...? It was kind of painful, in a sense. Still so very different than the Luke from his time... and the fact he hadn't called Guy himself already showed that the redhead probably didn't remember a thing about Vatheon.
One step at a time, then. And the first was to get Luke comfortable enough to talk.
But before he's able to say anything, Zelda pipes up, walking toward the men with the thermoses and suggesting they head home...
Thank. You. Zelda. That smile is returned, more than a little gratitude behind it.]
I don't know, it's Luke's decision! Hah, I'm honestly fine with staying here for a little, if wandering around in wet clothes is gonna be too much of a hassle.
[And there's that soft, chipper grin, directed back at Luke.] But yeah, she's got a point. If you're up for it, we can walk over to where I'm staying right now. It's not too far - just a few blocks down. I'll explain a little more on the way, alright?
[Action]
After some silence, Luke realizes that it's his turn to speak.]
Ah... [He glances at them both, then looks down at the thermos in his hands and idly passes it from hand to hand.] Yeah... that's fine.
[God, he's still so distracted and... well, lost. But after some thought and some more staring at the thermos, Luke blinks and looks at Zelda with a faint smile.] Thanks, Zelda. I'll... see you later, I guess? [He still has to get out of here and get to St. Binah, but...]
[Action]
[Zelda dips her head to them in a clear dismissal. When someone is as lost as Luke is, it's best to just take the decision right out of their hands.]
[Action]
He seem distracted. Confused. Words on paper wouldn't snap him out of that. And if he was caught up in what Guy thinks he might be caught up in... then they'd have to work through it before anything else could be accomplished.
Their walking starts to lead them down one of the paths away from the plaza, shops giving way to the simpler styles of residential buildings. Guy finally slips his hand from Luke's shoulder, his expression turning just a little sheepish.]
Sorry for the hustle. I just figured we should have somewhere a little more private to talk, you know?
[Action]
Was this really a different world from Auldrant? He knows for sure he's never seen a woman with ears like Zelda before, and he's never heard of a place under water like this before...
Then again, Luke hasn't heard of a lot of things. Heh.
But - He can't be here. How does he get out? He has to get out. St. Binah is falling, and - even if what Zelda said was true, something about timestreams, then... what was going on there? What can he do? How is he supposed to...
Then Guy speaks, and Luke blinks before he looks up at him and realizes Guy took his hand off of him; there was a cold space on his shoulder, after all.]
Right... yeah. [He lowers his head. What should he say? Luke had been ready to tell Guy what he was, something Guy ought to know already. But now he feels himself clamming up, now that he's had time to think and let things settle a little. He doesn't want to talk about this, he doesn't...
...
It's more that slowly warming spot on his shoulder that makes him keep talking. The knowledge that Guy did that, and the feeling that he had to let him know that he wasn't really Luke. He's...]
I'm... I'm not who you thought I was all this time. [His eyes narrow slightly in a light wince.] I'm not who I thought I was.
[Action]
[He's only partially kidding, of course.]
Besides. Haircut or not... last I checked, you were still Luke.
[Action]
And he presses his lips together before he stops and turns, hand leaving his hair to fist at his side.]
But I'm a replica!
[Action]
He raises an eyebrow.]
So?
It's not like you can pretend the last few years of your life weren't worth something. Replica or whatever, you're still you.
[Action]
["You're still you"?
Luke lowers his head to narrow his eyes at the street. How can he still be him if... he's not sure who he is? He'd been raised thinking he was Luke, but... that wasn't true. The real Luke was out there, having his life stolen away from him, leading the life of a God General under Van's command because of it.
Can he really still call himself Luke?
...
But...
He was living, right? He had memories, right? Maybe he wasn't sure what they were worth, knowing what happened and what he is... but it was a fact. And maybe they're worth a little bit of something... Maybe.
So, Luke can't help letting his lips twist into something like a bittersweet smile.]
You haven't changed a bit.
[Action]
[The blonde's voice dips just a little lower, letting his free hand slip to his hip. Luke was Luke, yes... but that sudden change of attitude was such an extreme difference from what he'd remembered, even with everything that had happened.
Even those who were confused didn't need to devalue themselves, though.]
You don't have to put yourself down so much.
[Action]
[He raises his hand before letting it fall uselessly to his side, mouth opening to explain further before shutting with a wince of frustration. He wasn't sure how to explain. This wasn't really... He wasn't... putting himself down, it was just - it was the truth. He's a replica and he's made a terrible mistake and...]
[Action]
[All the repentance in the world wouldn't make any sort of difference if Luke was just going to drown in what he thought he didn't have, what he thought he did or didn't deserve.
Better to get his mind on something else.
Guy cocks his head, looking slightly unimpressed.]
You could at least look a little happier to see me, you know.
[Action]
But Guy did wait for him. Or, rather... He came for him. Guy could've ignored Zelda and let Luke take care of himself; the lady sure did seem to be willing to explain things, even though Luke was getting frustrated. But no, Guy came for him anyway. Even knowing what he is.
The smile he gives now is more genuine, though he ducks his head and shifts his feet as if sheepish and flustered before he lifts it up again.]
... You're right. Thanks, Guy.
[Action] I have been waiting to use this icon. /stalker
...Did you just say "thanks"??
[Gratitude from Luke? Wow, this was a day of miracles. 8|]
[Action] Dohoho |D
Y... Yeah, so? [Jeez, Guy didn't have to make such a big deal out of it... 8| Even though he can see why he's doing it. Guy wasn't there when Luke announced his desire to change to Tear.] I'm trying to change from who I used to be. I didn't know how to do anything back then... Who am I kidding, I still don't know. But - I want to do what I can. I want to listen to people and learn, and... not just rely on everyone else, but make my own decisions.
[He looks up at Guy again as he presses his palm to his chest.] Guy, I asked Tear back there... But could you watch me too? I might make a few mistakes, but... I will change. I promise.
[Action]
Mmm.
His lips quirk up slightly, head dipping down with a quiet chuckle.]
...Don't push yourself too hard, alright? Pretty sure I'm not going anywhere anytime soon.
[The blonde mulls over something in silence for a brief moment before finally lifting his gaze. A hand slips up to rest firmly against Luke's shoulder.] Before I promise anything in return... could you answer something for me?
[Action]
What is it?
[Action]
What's the last thing you remember happening? Before you wound up out in the plaza?
[Action]
Eye contact is broken as Luke glances away.]
Why... Why are you asking me that?
[Action]
[The tension is obvious. Guy lets his fingers loosen just slightly as Luke turns his head to the side, but refuses to break his own gaze.
Come on, Luke.]
[Action]
...
But no, he never considered Guy to be his servant. He's always been his friend - his best friend, one of his only friends. And... he wanted to change. He wanted to be trusted, no matter how much it'd take to get it back. He wanted to be a different person, not the one who led to the destruction of homes and lives.
So he clenches his fist and shuts his eyes, swallowing to push that urge back. Then he takes in a breath, and...]
I woke up after I... [He opens his eyes to stare down at his clenched hands.] I destroyed Akzeriuth. [And he clears his throat, ignoring how his voice trembled upon saying the town's name, ignoring how the image of a little boy reaching out to him among the sinking rubble flashes through his head.]
Asch showed me a lot while I was connected to him; we found out that St. Binah is about to fall since... the Sephiroth supporting that continent was destroyed. [By him.]
Tear and I were just heading to the surface to try and stop that from happening.
[Action] keywooooooords
Almost.
That Luke was so close to his own final memories seemed like a horrible, horrible joke. Something that was both relieving and yet still raw, painful and infuriating. To hear the talk of the Sephiroth, something he'd only found out about minutes before arriving in Vatheon; listening to the name of Akzeriuth and remember the entire city falling apart around them... seeing thousands of innocent lives, lost so quickly...
It was bitterly nostalgic.
The only thing even remotely familiar about the Luke that stood before him right now was how his hands trembled as he talked. The boy he remembered couldn't get his hands to stop shaking. He was wild-eyed and scared, throwing blame with a loud, shaking voice, refusing to listen and panicking at the outcome of a mistake he'd been blindly walking into.
"It's not my fault! It's not my fault!!"
...
He had no idea what kind of time frame he was looking at. Hours. Days, maybe. So close he could almost touch it. But Luke was still from the future, even if it was a remarkably shorter distance than normal. And it was a delicate part of the future, it seemed.
So Guy would be as delicate as he needed.
When he speaks again, his voice is firm, but still gentle.]
You said you wanted to listen and learn, Luke. Well, I need you to listen right now. There's... a lot of things you need to know. But we'll take them one at a time.
First things first.
[Guy leans down just enough to plop his thermos onto the cobblestone. As soon as his hand is free, Luke will find hands quickly wrapping around his shoulders, holding him close in a tight hug as words are spoken close to his ear.]
You're not alone right now. And you really look like you needed one of these.
[Action]
His own thermos clatters to the cobblestone, its owner uncaring if its contents spilled out or not.
At first, it seems like Luke isn't going to respond to that except to freeze, his entire body tensing. It's not that he's embarrassed or reluctant. It's not that he's scared or hesitant.
Something inside him just asks, screams, wanting to know why Guy is doing this. How could he? How could he even touch the stupid joke of a human being who committed a crime he could never make up for, never take back? How could he say he isn't alone, when he should be? How could he support someone like this? Someone who doesn't deserve anything close to this?
But he can't hold back for long. Even though those questions still race through his mind, he still finds himself slowly pressing his forehead to Guy's shoulder, his arms raising, his hands clinging into the back of his shirt.
It's once he realizes that he's doing it that Luke finally gives up. He leans forward to press as much against Guy as he can, a light, quiet sound escaping his throat as he does so. As soon as he cut his hair, Luke accepted that he had to do this alone. Put it all on his shoulders, grow up, take the responsibility and walk.
Right now, for just this moment, he feels like a child again. A child who was led into a series of events that left him curled up, broken down and sobbing on the deck of the ship, blindly slicing his sword through the air after Asch revealed everything to him. A child who's so scared, so guilty, yet isn't sure what to do to help himself out of this dark place.
For just this moment, he can look at the horror stirring in his head without forcing himself to push it away. The workers who were relying on him, counting on him, desperately looking to him for help. The workers who lay broken and unmoving among what little remained of Akzeriuth, bodies twisted in a way that Luke could never imagine. The feeling of hope, importance, impatience excitement anticipation that something good was going to happen - suddenly and irrevocably forced into horror, denial, grief nausea anger betrayal there was no end to it -
And then to know his life
his life
his parents his friends his promises his possessions his room his discoveries his life
was a lie.
For just this moment, maybe he can just let go of the world on his shoulders. Just this moment.]
[Action]
But they shouldn't stay here in the streets. There was still a lot they had to talk about... and Luke still needed to change out of those dripping clothes.
Guy gives it another moment before his grip around his best friend slowly loosens, one hand moving up to ruffle that mop of red hair. If Luke needed it to last a little longer, it was his choice. But they did need to keep moving.
It's alright, Luke.
I knew you'd make it past this somehow. I know you'll keep doing it.
Just don't lock me away.]
[Action]
After a moment, though, Luke's hold loosens, and he slowly moves his head back. As soon as it's completely off of Guy's shoulder, he moves one hand up to cover his eyes and ducks his head.]
Sorry. [Another moment, and he lowers his hand, though with his head still down, he can see Guy's clothes. Or, rather, what he accidentally did to Guy's clothes thanks to how soaked he still was. He lets out a long sigh because of it, and moves his hand back to run through his hair.]
Dammit, your clothes...
[Action]
[Action]
[Action]
[Action]