fabrecation | 014 [Voice/Action]

[It's well into the night by the time Luke makes his way back to the apartment where he lives, a small bag with the belongings he brought with him being carried by his side. Unfortunately, it had rained while Luke was out there, so the mattress he brought along was ruined by the time he decided to head back. Thanks to the rain, his hair is also a mess, so he's not particularly happy.

He is, at least, much calmer than he was a few days ago. After his talk with Ion, Luke's had quite some time to think. Maybe he was being selfish... Maybe it would've been best to never know about any of it. But at the same time, he's glad to know. It feels like the wool's been pulled away from his eyes, and now he knows that he has to go back. Even if... he'd have to face Ion's death... there was still much to do. And here Luke thought everything was peaceful again...

He'd been thinking about the experiment, too. One that gave him a real life, a real family... He'd have to contact Paprika sometime. And how did Asch feel about it? Should he have stayed away? Well... There was only one way to find out.

That thought, though, makes him stop on the bridge by his community building. He has to wonder whether anyone else felt the way he did about some parts of the experiment... So, on a whim, he takes out his journal and pushes the voice option.]

Hey, does anyone else wish that some of that experiment was...

[Real? ...]

... Never mind, forget that. Uh... has... anyone gone camping before?

[... Stupid question. Luke shakes his head and shuts his journal with a light, frustrated little sound, then continues on his way to the apartment. If Asch was upset with him for that experiment, he'd soon find out about it.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It takes some time for him to respond, to return and talk with Asch before sitting in one of the chairs and realizing that he should really get another mattress for his now empty bed frame. But first...

... Tear. He stares down at that response for a while, unsure of how he should react. She and everyone else have been hiding so much, haven't they -

No, no no no. It's... okay now. He shakes his head and pushes those dark thoughts aside; even with all of that, it's good to hear her voice after all those days away. A voice that knows him this time.]

... It's nothing. [... Is she even still there?]

[She had kept the journal open by her side just in case, wondering if Luke would respond at all. That he did sent a sigh of relief through her, recalling when they had talked to one another during the experiment. How could she have allowed herself to forget him so easily?]

And has everything to do with camping? [She wants to ask further, but... it seems they still have some troubles being honest with one another.]

Heh... Actually, it kind of does.

[He can't help but smile a little, despite the topic - that experiment really is done, and they really do remember each other. How could he have forgotten her?]

I'm pretty lousy at doing it by myself.

That would be because it takes a lot of practice to do it on your own. Even then, you need the help and support of others to be able to learn do it properly. [Still, she wonders how would it tie in with his initial question.]

[He'd rather avoid it right now. The last thing he wants to do is pin his bitterness and anger to Tear.]

I thought I could do it after watching everyone else do it for so long, but I guess I wasn't paying attention enough. You guys make it look like it's easy.

You're still learning a lot about the world, Luke, and about yourself. That you've made this much progress is amazing in itself and admirable. [Still, she's aware of how far he has to go and what it took to get him there...]

... So you really think I've changed? [Sorry, Tear, Luke's argument with Asch had him thinking.]

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