006 [Written]

[fabrecation]

[Now that Luke can stay awake for more than an hour, he'd really like to get back to the people of Auldrant as well as the friends he made here in Luceti. He still can't hear anything, but... well, maybe no one has to know that. As long as they don't try talking to him, he'll be fine.

And being bedridden for these past few days has been extremely boring.

So, he grabs his journal and writes.]

Hey... I'm back.

[... Yup. Not much to expand on there. So let's go on.]

Anyone have any good stories to tell? Or... Actually, what's the most fun you've ever had? Here or in your world.

[Filtered to Asch; 15% Unhackable]

Asch, can I talk to you?

Comments

[dissonates]

[Or a few hours, at least, around the time when Asch decides to honour Luke with a stirring and chipper reply.]

What?

[Or a blunt one filled with implied irritation, whatever works.]

[fabrecation]

[as;ldfkjs;o IT'S ASCH. Too bad emotions can't go through writing, otherwise Luke might be a little more hesitant with this thing.]

Asch, hey!

I have a favor- was wondering if you wanted to could... contact me?

[dissonates]

[......What. A bit of Asch's irritation fizzles into confusion.]

I just did.

[fabrecation]

Not through the journal, I mean... you know, the link.

[dissonates]

[ffff.]

Why the hell would you want that?

[fabrecation]

Because I

Just... please?

1/2

[dissonates]

[..........

Stupid replica.]

[Fonic Link]

[dissonates]

Fine, but if you start complaining about a headache I'm leaving.

[Fonic Link]

[fabrecation]

[... And he actually heard it. Well, technically, but he doesn't need his ears to hear a voice in his mind. This is the first voice he's heard in several days, so Luke just takes a moment stare down at the journal with wide eyes and slowly run a hand through his hair, but then remembers that he should probably respond before Asch thinks that this is all for nothing.]

... Ah, I won't complain! I... thanks.

You're probably wondering why I asked you to do that, huh...

[Fonic Link]

[dissonates]

Obviously. [Asch is quiet for a moment, then adds:] If this is about Guy, I don't want to hear it!

[Fonic Link]

[fabrecation]

It's not, it's not, don't worry! [He kind of wanted to tell him that he talked to Guy and now Guy's working on it, but now he'll shut up about it. Even though this topic's uncomfortable, Luke can't help but take a moment to smile ridiculously to himself. He can hear Asch's voice! He can hear his own voice!

The smile fades away as he moves on to the reason behind this, though.]

I think all those noises did something to my ears. I can't... hear anything. At all.

[Fonic Link]

[dissonates]

....Idiot. I'm not some kind of friend you can call on whenever you want to hear someone talking. What makes you think I'd want that?

[Fonic Link]

[fabrecation]

I-It wasn't just that! I mean... it might've been a part of it, but... I just wanted to let you know. And I wanted to know if you were okay, too.

So... are you?

[Fonic Link]

[dissonates]

I'm fine. It's not like I want to be there anyway.

[Fonic Link]

[fabrecation]

... Good.

[He wants to ask more about how Asch is doing, buuut he'll probably just get snapped at. He can't help it, though; After being with Asch 24/7 for a few days, it kind of just... feels odd to be apart from him.]

Can I come see you sometime, if you're not going to come here?

[Fonic Link]

[dissonates]

[Luke are you out to confuse the hell out of him.]

...Why?

[Fonic Link]

[fabrecation]

[Consider it payback.]

Well... Because I want to! [Seriously Asch, is it a difficult concept to think that someone just wants to see you?]

[Fonic Link]

[dissonates]

[Yes. Yes it is. This is Asch you're talking to, you know.]

If you can't even hear, there's no point. We can talk just fine like this.

[Fonic Link]

[fabrecation]

But it's not permanent! I don't... think it is. After that...!

[Fonic Link]

[dissonates]

Of course it's not permanent. Which means that in a few days you'll be able to hear and you can talk to anyone you want in the damn village. You won't need me.

[Fonic Link]

[fabrecation]

Don't say that; Of course I need you!

[Fonic Link]

[dissonates]

For what?

[Fonic Link]

[fabrecation]

[SIGH. Really, for all that Asch talks down to Luke, he... must not think much of himself, if he doesn't know. But Luke can't accept that line of thinking, so he'll just push it aside.]

Because you're my friend, and friends need each other.

[Fonic Link]

[dissonates]

[And that... shuts Asch up for a while. Because for all his self-confidence and ranting and fierce front, Luke is right: he never expects friendship, not from anyone. Not until it's right in his face and made to be undeniable.

Because he's always been alone.]

[Fonic Link]

[fabrecation]

[... Asch can't be that surprised, right? The silence is making Luke think something happened to him, and though he gives a moment just to make sure, he has to poke at him just to see if he's okay.]

Asch?