[Accidental Voice]

[dissonates]

[There's two voices- one is obviously Asch, and the other is too muffled to hear.]

-ing out to investigate. I told Natalia to stay inside; you should do the same.

[A pause.]

...I am not sick. I already rested enough.

[Pause.]

I'm not a kid, so stop acting like my mother.

[...]

Wh- you are not "as good as she is", shut up!

[Pause.]

Goddammit, Guy.

Comments

[prismshards]

[ It's not his fault everyone treated him like an indoor cat that had to be pampered. D: ]

I'm not blaming-- Why in the world would they want me more? You have more experience and are stronger in every aspect! I'm not fit be any kind of leader, much less the king of an entire country! Kimlasca would be ruined in no time at all with me in charge! And most people don't even understand that there's two of us! How could they, when you refuse to come home and allow them the chance to get to know you again?! But this has nothing to do with Master Van! I'm talking about Natalia and Mother and Father! They all miss you, you idiot!

[ Unfortunately it's not an act. ]

[dissonates]

[He just soaked up the love and got lazy. >:|]

Shut up! Are you even listening to yourself!? To hell with my experience, or my strength! Don't you think you've already accomplished enough just with the experiences you have!? You won! You saved the whole goddamned world, and everyone must know it! And don't try to turn this on me- I'm not the one who looks down on myself because of who I am!

[prismshards]

[ There's no denying that fact. :/ ]

Yeah, I am! You've never given me much reason to think highly of myself! The entire time I've known you it's been "Dreck" this and "Replica" that! What else am I supposed to think? Two of the most important people to me have always considered me nothing but a replica, a failed replacement! You give me too much credit. I couldn't have done anything without Tear and the others and you, while you tried single-handedly to stop Master Van!

[dissonates]

You're supposed to think for yourself, that's what! Stop putting so much weight in what everyone else says! You kept saying that we're different- that I'm me, that you're you- if we're so different, then hurry up and figure out your own worth! Don't rely on me, it's nothing but an irritation!

[prismshards]

Why do you think I'm telling you all this if I wasn't thinking for myself? I've thought long and hard about everything that's happened and while I know I don't need your input to worth something, I kind of would like you to be proud of me for a change! You're not my parents or teacher, but you're someone important to me and I value your opinion! Is that really so much of pain?

[dissonates]

Maybe I'd respect you if you didn't say stupid things like this.

[prismshards]

There's nothing stupid about what I've said! It's all true!

[dissonates]

Let me give you a hint, then, replica- if you want me to have a better opinion of you, don't start by trying to convince me that I've had a better life than you.

[prismshards]

O-okay, maybe that wasn't the smartest thing to ever come out of my mouth, but I wasn't trying to say those seven years were easier for you-- I know they weren't! I just want you to understand that you weren't the only one Master Van screwed over.

[dissonates]

The only thing you've lost is yourself. The sooner you figure out who the hell you are, the less of a selfish idiot you'll look.

[prismshards]

[ Blinks. Your words are finally making sense to him, Asch. ]

Lost myself..? Is that the big difference between who I was and who I am now? What about you? Have you been able to sort out who you are since Eldrant?

[dissonates]

[Oh thank god, he was seriously considering stomping off in a huff.]

...It's a work in progress.

[prismshards]

[ He'd have tackled himself an original. ]

Looks like it's coming along nicely. ...even if you still resort to violence first.

[dissonates]

[Are you looking to get punched again.]

Your brain needed a good shake.

[prismshards]

[ It's a natural hazard from being Luke. ]

But it's my jaw that took the impact.

[dissonates]

[Well, it could've been worse.]

Means to an end, nothing more.

[prismshards]

[ So very true. He could be Asch. That would be horrifying. ]

Sure wasn't a friendly gesture.

[dissonates]

[Now that's just rude. 8|]

It wasn't meant to be.

[prismshards]

[ You get what you dish out. :| ]

Glad we agree on one thing at least.

[dissonates]

[Sticks and stones, replica. Sticks and stones. D|]

So then, are you satisfied yet?

[prismshards]

[ Stones my ass. You used your fist. DX ]

Pretty much. You've given me a lot to think about.

[dissonates]

[...So you'd prefer thrown rocks?]

Good. Don't forget it.

["-When you go back." Which in his mind is inevitable, though he's not about to say it.]

[prismshards]

[ Those he stands a chance of dodging! ]

I'm not about to. I'm not that eager to feel your wrath that much.

[ For Luke there isn't any going back. ...not home, anyways. Though that's fine too. He can keep you company in purgatory. ]

[dissonates]

[What if the fonic link makes him stand still. |D]

Then you've learned something. Amazing.

[Asch is thrilled. Really.]

[prismshards]

[ Try it and he'll give you the headache from hell, mister. B| ]

About as amazing as you being able to smile.

[ The only kinds of thrills he's able to get are the cheap kind. ]