fabrecation | 030 [action ; voice]

[It felt like dying. It felt like being caught inside a large, ringing bell and being unable to escape.

It was something he walked into willingly. And yet as it was happening, he wanted to stop, and yet he knew that he couldn't. To stop would mean the deaths of millions of others, and what's one life compared to that many?

Nothing, nothing at all. But...

Then the ringing stopped, but Luke barely noticed. Instead he was falling, falling until he fell not onto the hard floor of the tower, but the soft earth of another world. He loses consciousness before he's even aware of that.]

[Later, he can be found at the clothing shop and the item shop to pick up some things, and after a run-in with Sync and Ion, Luke had briefly visited his old apartment before he decided that he just couldn't stay. He sits heavily by the fountain, bent over with his head in his hand while the other hand holds on tight to the only item she'd left him.

He's a little hesitant to do this, and it makes him glance at his journal a couple of times, before he makes his decision. He opens up his journal, turns on the video function, and - clears his throat awkwardly first.]

This is how it works, right...? [Ah, right. He glances away and runs a hand through his (shorter, more unruly) hair before he gives the journal his attention again.] Um, hey. My name is Luke fon Fabre, and - and I was here before. I think it was just last week? It was a lot longer for me...

So... I'm back? And I'm sorry for leaving. I guess that's all I have to say...

[Except it's not, and it's just as he starts to shut the journal that he remembers.]

Oh yeah - [And he throws up a hasty filter.]

[Locked to House 1 residents (Nephry, Jade, Tear, Anise, Florian, Ion)]

Hey, uh... do you guys mind if I stay with you for a little while? It doesn't have to be for long or anything, I just - I need to find another place to stay. That's all it is.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He stands up, honestly confused for one second, for he remembers long, golden hair - they played once, when he had long hair as well. But then he remembers, and his smile is wide and happy as he runs toward her as well.]

Rapunzel!

[And when he's close enough, he throws those arms around her for a big hug, even spinning briefly and pulling her off her feet.

He remembers. He remembers her joy and her compassion, remembers how she pulled him up during the draft and helped him focus on helping other people, rather than hurting. He remembers the fact that she saved his life, though he can't recall when it happened, or what exactly happened.

He remembers, god he remembers.]

[ She happily winds her arms around him and gladly accepts that hug. For a moment, she feels like her heart is going to burst - he's so happy to see her, and surely that means he remembers.

She can't keep the emotion from swelling in her voice. ]

It's so good to see you again.

You too... I'm really happy to see you.

[He holds her a little longer, eyes shut and a big smile on his face, then gives her a light extra squeeze before he loosens his hold, though he keeps his hands on he shoulders. His smile turns a bit sheepish, shoulders rising slightly.]

Sorry for leaving. I guess there was just some... stuff I needed to take care of.

[ She nods. She could never hold it against him - it wasn't his choice to leave. And even if it had been, she believes him when he says he had some things he had to take care of. ]

How...how was home?

[That earns a pause; a lot happened at home. One thing after another, each worse than the last, every solution seeming to be shot down...

But...

He lets out a sigh after a moment, then gives a little nod.]

Better now. Hopefully. [If things went according to plan, if he didn't die before the miasma could be cleared...]

[ That pause tells her a lot, like he's not entirely sure. But his answer seems sure enough, and if he came back feeling like things were better, that was what was important, right? ]

I'm glad. [ A pause. ] Everyone missed you so much here. We planted flowers in the garden for you. Selenias.

[ She leaves the 'we' ambiguous on purpose. ]

[That really surprises him, enough to let his grip slowly fall from her shoulders and his eyes to widen. Having only just accepted that maybe, just maybe, he does have worth just for himself, this is... quite a thing to hear.]

Selenias? For... me? [...] We?

[ She nods, pausing a moment before she answers. It wouldn't do any harm, would it? For him to know. ]

Yes. Me and Asch.

... Asch?

[His eyes widen even more, if that's possible. Asch? Asch planted selenias for him?

Asch?

The fact that Rapunzel didn't so isn't quite as surprising - that she considers him such a friend is moreso than anything else. But Asch? Asch was never sentimental; in fact, he was often on the other end of it, receiving Luke's sentimental affection with veiled exasperation over such an act. He kept the pendant, yes, but...

Flowers. It's just...]

... Really?

Yes.

[ A small, teasing smile blossoms on her lips. She knew planting flowers for someone was hardly in Asch's normal behavior, but he had done it all the same. ]

It was my idea, but he helped.

030 [action ; voice]

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;