fabrecation | 027 [Video/Action]

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027 [Video/Action]

[It starts with a hum.

It isn't enough to be discernible. It may just sound like a buzz from an insect flying nearby ~~ready to be swallowed~~. Swatting at it would yield no results, though, seeing how the hum is coming from his head.

It turns into a whisper.

They aren't really words. They're snatches of letters, snippets of thought that pass through his unconscious mind. A wind, of sorts, as threads of the link begin to tie together and come alive once again.

It ends with words.

Weak, scattered and quiet, it seems to be a stream that passes through, from replica to original, words that pour from a sleeping mind to the newly formed link. It comes from the north side of the village, the complete opposite direction from where the link first faded into nothingness.

But it's there. It's there like a beacon, pulling, asking for him to be there.]

"here.

i'm here.

i'mherei'mhereaschaschaschcan'tmovecan'twhereareyou

help me"

He's alive.

And he's calling for him.]

[It's about two hours after the sun sets that the journal comes on, showing a familiar redhead looking away and rubbing the back of his neck. The area is somewhat lit, and it looks something like the front of Good Spirits. He just needed light, that's all.

The reason he can't look at the camera? Asch had told him that his death was announced over the journals. He had a right to know, after all. Here Luke had been hoping to just announce he was back like he went on vacation or something, sickness gone, health returned. But now everyone knows that he died.

There's probably a lot of people out there who are mad at him.

But he does finally look at the journal after a few seconds, and he gives a nervous little smile.]

Uh... hey. I'm back?

[He hopes to hear from at least two people. And if he doesn't, and soon, then he'll find them himself.]

((And a belated NSFW alert for the thread with Xion 8|b))

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Of course! I'll be there before you know it. Sit tight.

[And lo! Rapunzel's golden head will soon be ducking around Good Spirits with a basket over one arm.]

[He'd been sitting there, trying to figure out what his penalty is. Sure, his skin feels a little sensitive, and he still feels weird, but not as much as before. Everything else seems... fine. So maybe a memory? But he's pretty sure he still remembers everything... There are no gaps or anything.

It's when he sees that flash of gold that he looks up, and then stands as he grins and waves.]

Rapunzel!

[She nearly loses it when she sees him, and the only thing she can do to keep herself together is to run over, drop her basket at his feet and throw her arms around him in a great big hug.]

Luke, you're--I'm so glad--

[His smile only widens as she gets closer, and he at least gets enough of a cue to open his arms just slightly before she hugs him tight. And... honestly, seeing people so happy to see him alive and well - he can't help laughing quietly. He isn't amused, though. Just happy. And in return, he returns that great big hug and lightly leans his head against hers.]

Hey - yeah, I'm okay now, I - haha... I'm really glad to be back!

[She holds back her tears for his sake, though it's a very tough battle to keep from crying.]

Are you okay? I mean--are you--

[Was he alright?]

I'm okay, really... [He pulls back, though he keeps his hands on her upper arms.] I actually feel a lot better than I did for a while now. I mean, I guess I have some kind of penalty, but...

[He glances away, his smile turning more sheepish. It worries him, it really does... but it wouldn't do to be paranoid about it.] I don't really know what it is.

[She nods slowly, looking him over as if she could catch sight of what it might be--but she doesn't see anything wrong with him. At least he hadn't wound up blind like Asch had.]

I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to bring up unpleasant things, I just...wanted to be sure you didn't need anything you weren't asking for.

I'm really fine. [He grins briefly to reassure her, then glances down at the basket at his feet.] But hey, you brought food? I am kind of hungry... [Who would've thought dying could make you hungry?]

[Well, when you haven't eaten for a week...

She scoops up the basket and sets it on the table.]

Right! I've brought a little bit of everything, so there's a lot to choose from.

[And there is. Tarts and pastries and banana bread, cookies and brownies and a pie. HELP YOSELF.]

[He grins at the sight, and he leans forward to take a whiff. Rapunzel's food always smelled really...

... good.

...

He takes the banana bread and brings it closer, a frown on his face as he tries to smell the food. But... there's nothing at all. No scent or anything.

So maybe this is...

... But he shouldn't worry Rapunzel, not after she went through all that trouble for him. So, Luke looks up at her with a tight smile.]

You really went all out, huh? It smells great! [As usual! ... At least, he... hopes it is. Without another word, he turns back to the bread to take a bite -

Only to pause midchew.

...]

[She hesitates for a moment when he does, but then grins when he compliments her and goes on to take a piece of bread anyway. Surely, it was nothing. He was fine--

Oh, that's odd.]

Is something wrong? It doesn't taste bad, does it?

Mm - [He swallows, without chewing. And he gives Rapunzel a tense grin as he tilts his head to the bread in his hand.] No, it's... it's fine, it's just... uh, what did you put in here?

[Oh. Oh dear, it tastes bad, and he doesn't want to hurt her feelings. She frowns, but tries to hide it.]

I-it's banana bread! Maybe...bananas just aren't for you?

No, it's...

[He presses his hand over his mouth as he sets the bread down slowly.]

I just... can't taste it. It doesn't...

[And she gasps, a small, sharp sound.]

You...can't taste?

No, all I - it didn't...

[Now he has to make sure - he takes a cookie, one that he knows he likes and tastes good, and takes a bite out of it.

Only to frown, chew a few more times... and let out a loud groan as he hangs his head. He can't even taste that. Now it just has a weird, chewy texture.]

[Her heart sinks. He can't taste. He can't taste. Maybe it's not as bad as losing eyesight, but one of his five senses, still. She peers closely at him.]

Oh, Luke! That's--that's just--I'm sorry.

[It's not as bad as losing his sight or anything, but - good lord, how is he supposed to eat anything now? He's already a picky eater, and now even cookies feel weird to him. What's he going to do?

But he can worry about that later, when he's alone. Right now, Rapunzel's worried. So, Luke lifts up his head, gulps the cookie down, and runs a hand through his hair.]

I-It's okay, it's... it's only taste. I think. I mean, I couldn't really... either...

[And it occurs to him that, even though all this food should have a really strong scent, there's absolutely nothing. And his hand stops in his hair as a result, and he lets out another groan while tipping his head back this time.]

You couldn't really...what?

[Even if the way he cuts off makes her have a guess. Smell was so closely tied to taste--if you could smell something strongly, it was almost like you could already taste it. Was that it? Her brow creases.]

I couldn't... smell anything either, when I tried. [So instead of just losing one of his five senses, he lost two? At least they're the... not so important ones, but all the same.] What am I supposed to do now?

I...I guess you just...[It's hard for her to formulate an answer, since it's so far from her own experience. What do you tell someone who just lost two of their senses after being gone for a week? She goes out on a limb.]

You really appreciate the things you still have.

[He does pause at that, hand still in his hair and head still tipped back, eyes shut. She's right, really. As much as it sucks, and as much as Luke isn't sure what he can eat now, he does still have important things. He isn't blind, like Asch. He can still hear, he can still feel. He at least has those three... And he can still help Asch.

So, he lowers his hand, lets out a sigh, then opens his eyes to give Rapunzel a weak, yet sheepish smile.]

Yeah, you're right. I mean... it's not so bad. At least there's still stuff I can do.

[She smiles reassuringly. Yes, that's right. Keep hope alive.]

That's right! You'll just enjoy it all the more. A-and when you get your taste and smell back--it'll be the best meal you've ever had!

... Man, that's right! I've got to make sure it's one of my favorites. That way it'd be even better!

[The smile is more genuine now. Yes, this sucks... but maybe the meal in the future is something to look forward too.]

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027 [Video/Action]

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