fabrecation | 013 [Voice/Actionish] (Backdated to the day before the event)

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013 [Voice/Actionish] (Backdated to the day before the event)

[Ever since that battle with Vanitas and his talk with Asch afterward, Luke had been feeling absolutely exhausted. He'd spent all day, all night, and then all day again in bed, which surprised him a little. Hyperresonance had never worn him out that much before... Then again, he never actually tried it in Luceti apart from his training with Asch, and never in combat like that. It's the next morning when Luke finally feels energized enough to get back to his daily routine.

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary at first. Sure, there was no breakfast, but it's not like that was too unusual. Maybe enough to make him raise an eyebrow, but he shrugged it off and made himself some toast with butter and cinnamon. That seemed to be one of the few things he couldn't ruin, even if the meal wasn't all that fulfilling.

It's as the day goes on that something seems to be wrong. The silence could always be from Guy managing Good Spirits, but a quick check made him see that Guy wasn't even there. Sure, he could be somewhere else, but... without even checking in on him? Even at his worst, by this time Guy would always come by to see if Luke was okay and if he needed anything. It was always a little annoying, but... it was routine, too. A routine that's never broken easily.

It's late in the afternoon by the time Luke flops down in one of the chairs and frowns as he stares worriedly down at the floor. Something about this feels wrong. He's kind of afraid to check on Guy, because what he finds might just be everything he feared. It'd be easier to just pretend things were okay, to think that Guy's just off somewhere and that he'd be back later. Maybe he finally went to bring Asch back from wherever he was. Maybe he just went to do some errands. ...Very long errands.

But he can't keep doing that forever. He shuts his eyes, then stands and heads towards Guy's room.]

Guy? Guy, come on. [Luke's at the door now. He raises his hand to push it open... turns it into a fist, and brings it back down to his side.] ... Look, whatever I did, I'm sorry. Just... open the door, okay?

[No response. Luke purses his lips and tightens the fist at his side, then forces himself to relax it enough to raise his hand and open the door.]

Guy...

[Somehow, a part of him was expecting this. It was only a quiet, little part of him though, one that would be pushed firmly away by denial and what he felt was rationality. Even now as he stares into the completely empty room, a wave of rejection comes over him. No, maybe Guy just cleaned his room way too nicely. It continues even as Luke steps slowly into the room and looks into the closet, checks the drawers, even peeks under the bed: No, Guy's just having a massive cleaning day. He just moved to another room - Luke even tries to make sure by checking all of the other rooms, his steps quickening into a run by the time he goes upstairs, calling his name uselessly. No, Guy's just...

He's just...

Luke finally stops at what used to be Natalia's room. It was just the same with her: Everything was gone. All that was left was an empty space where his dear friend used to be... Just like Guy's room.]

[It takes a long while before Luke thinks to at least let everyone know what happened. He'd sat on what used to be Natalia's bed with his head in his hands and quietly thought of things that would take away the fact that Guy was gone and mentally berating himself every time his breathing hitched.

It takes another few minutes for Luke to actually get up and go to his room, where his journal lays on the nightstand. He rests one hand on the journal while the other reaches up to wipe at his face, trying to make himself look at least somewhat presentable.

... But when he does that, he just wants to cover his face, turn away and leave. To get away for a while, because now the house felt too empty, but... He shakes his head to himself and flips the journal open, keeping his head ducked down to hide whatever emotion he might be feeling.]

Guy... went back to Auldrant.

[That's all Luke can say before he shuts the journal and leaves it behind.]

[[ooc: ~~Just a fair warning, Luke might not reply to some of the responses.~~ Null and void since I am terrible at that. 8| He's a sad puppy right now and all. He can be caught wandering around the village, though, if you want to talk to him!]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I don't want to know my future, anyway. It'd be like getting a Score reading... That's what we're trying to fight against, right?

Yes, exactly. Your future is what you will make of it.

[from the perspective of someone whose dreams were torn apart by the Score, no less]

[Yeah... His future's what he makes of it. Still, what happened to him to make Guy so... so... protective? He can't take the excuse that it's been a long time since he's seen him in Luceti. And...

He shakes his head to himself and finishes settling the blanket on the couch. It wouldn't do to keep thinking about that. Eventually, he'd want more information, and that would just go against everything he said.

With a sigh, Luke gets up from the floor to sit on the couch and stare into the fire. There's just... so much on his mind right now.]

Is it Guy's absence, still worrying you?

[her hand is still resting on his back, trying to be comforting]

... I miss him, Nephry. It's only been a few hours and I...

...I'm sorry. I never meant to diminish your feelings about it. It just seemed...like there was more than that on your mind.

I... guess there is. I mean... [He wrings his hands between his knees, his expression and tone taking on one of uncertainty. There's no way he can bring up the mystery of his future now that they've resolved to not talk about it.] Where am I supposed to go now? Your house is full, Asch isn't back, Xion... 's...

[Oh hell, he hasn't talked to Nephry about her, has he? W-Well. Uh. Might as well. Finish that sentence.]

... house is full.

[AND MOVING ON.]

And... And I can't take care of myself because I'm a stupid replica who never had to learn how...

I don't believe that's true. You are a noble who never learned to take care of himself, because you lived in a position which never would require that of you; a noble with the...tendencies of a young child, but the expectations and life experience of an adult.

[in general the message of you are a person.]

Where in the world did you get the idea that this house is full?

[What does it mean to be a noble, though? Why were they considered so much higher up when they barely knew how to take care of themselves? What's Luke supposed to do, as a noble? He's never been able to figure that out...

So, he doesn't answer that part. Instead, he focuses on her question.]

... Well, all the rooms are full. [Why would he be sleeping on the couch if they weren't?]

All of the rooms have someone sleeping in them, yes. I don't recall a rule limiting each room to just one occupant.

There is also the possibility that Asch will, eventually, return. ...But until then you will have a place here, whenever you need it.

[He really does hope Asch returns. It's not that he doesn't appreciate Nephry's offer - in fact, he's very glad for it. But... even though he's scared of how Asch is reacting to all of this, that's still his original. He's honestly worried sick about him...]

I don't want to be a bother... You've already got a lot of people to take care of.

We all take care of each other.

[and that is the last line of argument she will hear on the subject.]

May I ask you something?

[And Luke was just about to open his mouth to keep arguing until Nephry asked that question. With that, he lets out a small sigh and rubs the back of his neck awkwardly. She really could be just like Jade sometimes...]

Sure, what is it?

[Jade would just throw him out in the cold if he kept arguing like this]

Who is Xion?

[This is true. And he still wouldn't allow room for argument.

But, of course, her bringing up Xion just makes his movements freeze and his eyes widen. Most telling, however, is the blush that suddenly spreads across his cheeks. ffff, and he thought Nephry had forgotten that subject in favor of the other one!]

Uh... Xion? Sh-She's... She's my, uh...

I see. [that blush is so obvious, but here Nephry smiles like it's a conspiracy] She's a good enough friend that, under the circumstances, you feel she would agree to let you stay with her, too.

[... Oh thank goodness, Nephry just provided the dodge for him. He'll latch onto that then while that deer-in-the-headlights look fades in favor of a warm smile.]

... Yeah. Something like that.

Friendships like that are rarer than you might think. ...I'm glad you have someone to turn to.

I know... Thanks.

[Luke lets out a sigh at that. Good, Nephry filled in the blanks for him. Maybe that means she didn't know? Part of him feels a little guilty and disappointed in not being able to confide in a female about this, but the shier, more awkward part of him was extremely relieved. He didn't need more opportunities for teasing, even though the biggest offender of them all was sent home...]

[Nephry would never tease him in such a serious moment. She's not like her brother in that regard.]

...If you ever did want to talk more about her, though, I will listen.

[... Or did she know?]

Wh... What's there to talk about?

Well, that's up to you.

[That is suspicious. Have a suspicious look to fit it.]

[Don't look at her like that! She responds with genuine surprise, and maybe a little hurt]

It's not up to me what you decide to talk about, Luke.

[It's kind of hard when 90% of your friends tease you, Nephry! Still, the surprise and hurt make the look on Luke's face fade, and he lets out a sigh while running a hand through his hair. Right. Right... this is Nephry. She's been nothing but kind so far.]

... Sorry. [And to make up for it more:] Xion's my... uh... we're... together. You know, in... that way. [The word "girlfriend" just seems so... weird.]

013 [Voice/Actionish] (Backdated to the day before the event)

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