And suddenly, falling over is the most terrifying thing in the world

[thewilltolive]

Characters: Luke and YOU
Location: Around Vatheon
Time: Early Afternoon
Style: Starting in action, but either is fine!
Status: Open!

[ So, Luke has been here for a few days now. Mostly, he's been keeping to himself and hanging around Guy's place, but with the recent curse he's decided to go out and...well, honestly, he's not really sure why he's out and walking around. Guy was pretty cranky, and Luke was pretty sure he wasn't going to stand for his staying-on-the-floor shenanigans.

So, here he was, out and about. He looks rather frazzled, and keeps looking to the ground nervously. Why was he out again? Because, this is a terrible idea. Probably one of the worst idea's he's ever had, and oh god, oh god he's going to fall over for sure, and--

Luke stops quite suddenly, and slowly



Very, very slowly



He lowers himself to the ground, and just lies there. After a moment, he seems to try and drag himself along, but he gives up on that pretty quickly. Seriously, it wasn't worth it. He was perfectly happy lying where he was, safe and on the ground. So...yeah, it doesn't really look like he's going to move any time soon. ]

Comments

[fonmaster]

You neutralized the miasma? Truly?

[Ion has to hug Luke for that. He'd had faith that Luke would be able to do it, be able to avert the disaster that was written in the Score. Actually hearing it, he's a little overcome.]

I knew you could do it.

[thewilltolive]

I...

[ It feels like there's a lump in his throat that he can't quiet swallow, and at the hug Luke kind of clings to Ion. He felt kind of pathetic. Ion always had so much faith in him, when he didn't have any in himself. He didn't even know if his efforts had been in vain or not. ]

I don't know if it worked or not.

[fonmaster]

[He rests a hand on the back of Luke's head.]

Were you pulled from before it was complete, then? It's alright. That's normal for this city. People are drawn here in the middle of their journeys all the time, and when they go back, everything is just as they left it.

[thewilltolive]

Yeah...

[ He doesn't sound convinced, and he isn't sure he knows what to think about that--Because what if he didn't have anything left to return to? What if he did fail?

He opens his mouth, to ask if dying had hurt, but quickly closes it again. It wouldn't matter if he knew or not, would it. He would go back, neutralize the miasma, and die. That's how...that's how it had to be. ]

[fonmaster]

[Ion is incredibly perceptive for his age. Having had a friend that recently went to their death, not to mention the fact that he's done so himself - he can sense that something is wrong. He draws back to look at Luke, concerned.]

Luke, what is it?

[thewilltolive]

[ Luke just looks down to his hands quietly for a time, trying to figure out what to say... ]

Did it hurt, to die?

((Luke may be different, scion of Lorelei and all - but my Ion has no soul SO))

[fonmaster]

[The words come out haltingly. It's not something he likes to think back on.]

I - no. It didn't hurt. You were there, and so were Anise and Tear, and I just... just sort of faded away... I didn't feel anything.

[He felt nothing, to be more precise. True nothingness. He ceased to exist. Ion shudders involuntarily.]

SOB ION. I haven't given the matter much thought, though I suppose it would make sense ;;;;;;;;

[thewilltolive]

Sorry...I shouldn't have asked.

[fonmaster]

[He keeps his head down, speaking quietly.]

Do you think you died, Luke?

[It's strange. When it comes to other replicas, ones that aren't himself... it hurts to think of them dying. They're people, aren't they?]

[thewilltolive]

There's no way I survived. I saw right through my arm...

[ And he'd gone into it knowing full well he wouldn't survive. It didn't make it any easier to stomach, of course. ]

[fonmaster]

...I'm sorry. I'm so sorry...

[He moves his hands to Luke's face, turning it so he's looking at him.]

Do you remember how I told you that there are many possible futures, Luke? Even if - even if you didn't survive, the future you were walking towards... I saw hope, there. For everyone.

[thewilltolive]

Yeah...they have Asch, though. They should be fine. [ He was the original, after all. ]

Thanks Ion. For...for everything. I hope you're right. I hope everything turns out alright for everyone.

[fonmaster]

It will. You've already changed the Score, Luke. That alone is amazing. They can do the rest, I know they can.

[Ion squeezes him briefly before remembering they're kind of in the middle of the walkway here.]

Ah... why are you on the ground exactly, Luke?

[thewilltolive]

[ Oh...right. Him laying on the ground. Well! This is kind of embarrassing. ]

Oh, that? No reason, really. I just didn't feel like walking anymore.

[fonmaster]

You didn't feel like walking? Does it hurt somewhere?

[Ion checks Luke again. He seems fine, but people don't just suddenly feel like not walking! Maybe Luke was getting sick, too.]

[thewilltolive]

No, I just realized how easy it is to fall over. [ Walking around is clearly the most dangerous activity. ]

[fonmaster]

...huh?

[Congratulations Luke, you have successfully made Ion forget (temporarily, at least) the depressing topic they were talking about just moments before. The Fon Master stands, holding a hand down to Luke.]

You have really good balance, Luke! I don't think I've ever seen you fall down.

[Being knocked down in battle is not the same as falling. He has seen that!]

Come on, let's at least get out of the street.

[thewilltolive]

Yeah, well I'm not about to start now.

[ Luke doesn't forget, but the whole walking around business is enough of a distraction to prevent him from dwelling on the matter. At least, for now it is. He'll most likely think on everything later.

He just looks at Ion's hand a moment, before flopping back on the ground and just...lying there. ]

...I think I'd rather stay here, thanks.

[fonmaster]

[Ion thinks for a moment before getting down on his hands and knees, trying to sound helpful.]

What if we crawl somewhere else? You won't fall that way.

[Look, Luke - he'll even do it with you so you don't feel silly!]

1/2

[thewilltolive]

[ He seriously considers this for a second.

Crawling...crawling could work... ]

[thewilltolive]

[ Only he'd look ridiculous, and it would be totally embarrassing. ]

No way. You'd end up scraping your knee or something.

[ ... Though, Ion does have a point. He probably shouldn't lay in the middle of the street.


Okay, deep breath. ]

Here, I'll just...get up and walk. It's no big deal.

[ He can totally do this.






Totally. ]

[fonmaster]

Alright! You can come visit where I'm staying, if you want? I think I'm allowed to have visitors...

[It wasn't ever really discussed. It's not like Izaya is home anyway though, and Sola... Sola is gone for awhile.]

[thewilltolive]

Yeah, I'd like that.

[ He hesitates a moment before slowly standing up. He looks kind of nervous, but...he's determined!! ]

Lead the way, Ion.

[fonmaster]

[Ion nods, walking in front of Luke. He's not sure if it helps at all, but maybe if Luke is staring at the back of his head instead of the ground, the ground won't seem so far away?]

When did you arrive in Vatheon? I have been here for a couple months now, myself.

[thewilltolive]

[ He follows behind the Fon Master, doing his best to focus on his words instead of the ground.


He can do this! ]


I've been here a couple days, now. Months seems like it would be a while, though...has living here been okay?